As the days get shorter and the cold settles in, many people feel more down than usual. Many of my clients have been discussing with me their depressive symptoms and how it just feels harder to get things done during this time. For some, these winter blues are a sign of a deeper struggle: depression. Understanding depression, especially in the context of winter, is crucial to finding ways to cope and thrive even in the darkest months. Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day. It is a medical condition that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Symptoms ..read more

Recently, I had a client of mine reenter rehab. I hadn’t known this client long, so I had minimal context to determine his process in making this decision for himself. However, I am always pleased to hear a client tending to their needs and acting out of autonomy. Addiction is a specific area of my field that I have grown to love, and upon hearing the news from my client, I began to reflect on how addicts view themselves in society. Often, we hear the classic tale that addiction is a disease that needs to be "cured" or tended to through 12-step programs, and it requires the addict to admit to ..read more

As a therapist trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, I often find myself in awe of the transformative power it holds for individuals struggling with trauma and distressing life experiences. EMDR, although it might sound complex at first, is a remarkably effective form of therapy that can bring about profound healing and relief. So, what exactly is EMDR, and how does it work? In simple terms, EMDR is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and heal from past traumatic events or distressing memories. It was developed by psychologist Francine Shap ..read more

Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love and couples exchanging gifts and affectionate gestures. Those who are unattached can sometimes feel excluded. But it does not have to be that way; this day can also be a time of joy and celebration for singles. Instead of feeling left out or lonely, singles can embrace the opportunity to create a joyful Valentine’s Day for themselves. The first thing to focus on would be self-care. This day provides an excellent chance to indulge in activities that bring happiness and relaxation. Is there a new book you wanted to read, but couldn’t find ..read more

Therapy is often the place people go to when they want to change their emotions. They may want to stop feeling sadness after their parent has passed away. They may want to stop feeling angry or annoyed as often. They may want to stop feeling anxious because of a stressful job. As much as the human existence enables us to feel positive emotions, it also saddles us with uncomfortable and more difficult ones that we would like to feel less. So how can we go about modifying our emotions? Many different things influence what emotions we feel, how long we feel them, and the impact they have on us ..read more

It has been a long time coming...the writing of that first book. Years of thought about it, then one day getting down to business. It has always been a dream to write, and not just for myself, but for others. A contribution to the world and to a person's life. Books can reach the masses and travel to the ends of the earth. They can stimulate one's mind, actions, beliefs, and thoughts. Writing is an outlet for the author, and a way to convey all that is in them to those who want to learn. It is also an art that can be cultivated and treasured for years to come. My first book is the start of a ..read more

When was the last time you asked for something you needed? Did you mumble, shuffle your feet, avert your gaze? Did you wind up talking yourself out of whatever it was you needed (and maybe apologized for even asking)? Ours is not a "direct" culture. We take the long way around to making our point. For women, in particular, we make sure to not sound demanding — we are labeled "aggressive" rather than "assertive" if we speak our minds. We may even be afraid that people will judge us — or not like us — for speaking up, so our needs remain unmet as we simmer in frustration that the other person d ..read more

As we come out of the darker winter months, and begin to feel the warmth of spring upon us, we, as all of nature, may come more alive, waking up to new possibilities and growth. Yes, we humans, just like the plants and animals around us, cycle with the seasons. Longer days can bring renewal and aliveness, and perhaps more movement. This idea of being nature has deeply impacted the way that I think about and address trauma work, both as a healer and someone who is healing. It was when I heard of the work of Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing, a naturalistic and neurobiological appro ..read more

What determines our happiness? Some might say more money, a flexible work schedule, a supportive spouse, a cure for your disability, but as it turns out, none of these factors will make you considerably happier. According to research on happiness, around 50% of what determines our happiness is due to our genetic set point, i.e., genes/biology, 10% is due to life circumstances, such as income, social status, living conditions, etc., and 40% is due to our intentional behaviors, what we do and think on a daily basis (Lyubomirsky, 2008). Knowing that around 40% of our happiness is left up to what ..read more

Some might think my intake process is a little different from what they were expecting when they first made the decision to attend therapy. When you come to see me for the first time, I ask you about something that I call the 4 Foundational Habits to Support Mental Health. These are sleep, quality of diet, water intake, and exercise. With the start of the new year, many people resolve to address one or more of these habits. Here’s another reason to think about starting… Sleep- according to Sleepfoundation.org, sleep problems may be both a cause and a consequence of mental health problems. The ..read more