There’s a magical moment in spring when the air is crisp, the sun is warm but not scorching, and the garden beckons with promise. It’s that sweet spot when the soil is just right for serious weeding and plotting where each plant will thrive. This brief interlude arrives before the heat becomes too oppressive or the weeds too overwhelming. Life offers similar fleeting windows of opportunity. Consider the brief span when asking someone to prom is not only acceptable but also allows enough time to find the perfect outfit. Or the narrow window after college before diving into a career, when trekki ..read more

Planning for Your Next Big Thing In the midst of wrestling sacks of paving sand and pea gravel into the back of my small SUV, I couldn’t shake the words that echoed in my mind: “No one is going to come to save you…” The recent heavy rain had left the sacks heavier than imaginable, messy, and oozing muddy liquid, leaving me ‘covered head to toe’ in the aftermath. As people walked by, their glances flickered over the task at hand, quickly averting their eyes, unwilling to offer words of support or encouragement. Even the hired staff at the big box store, who were expected to be helpful, turned a ..read more

Welcome to another insightful journey on the road to self-discovery and growth. Are you ready? Today, we’re diving into the empowering concept of having fewer regrets, while likely gaining more missteps. Let’s explore how embracing our missteps can actually lead us closer to our desired destinations. Redefining Regrets Let’s start by challenging the notion of regrets. Often, we view regrets as mistakes or wrong turns in our past that haunt us. Heck, social media, therapists, teachers, professionals of all walks will caution us to avoid regrets at all costs. But what if we shift our perspective ..read more

Life, Connection and Going the Distance Have you come across titles such as ‘The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging,’ ‘Outlive,’ or ‘Live to be 100: Secrets of the Blue Zone’ on Netflix? All of these documentaries delve into the secrets of longevity, how to start embracing a longer life, and most importantly, how to redefine your approach to life, starting now. The prospect of living longer and having more time to pursue your desires does sound incredible, doesn’t it? But, of course, you might be thinking, “There must be a catch.” It does indeed sound amazing, yet simultaneously quite daunt ..read more

What Brings People In People come to therapy in various ways; some are eager to engage in the process, while others may be uncertain, and some are brought in reluctantly. It’s always a fascinating mix. Additionally, it’s intriguing to discover the experiences that new clients bring to the room, their expectations, and how they might express them, if at all. What’s even more fascinating to me is observing how and when individuals come ready to put in the work during intensive sessions. These clients tend to be clear, focused, and acutely aware of what’s obstructing their path to their goals. Th ..read more

“I just don’t know what to do…” Most recently I heard this from an amazing human who is concerned about their adult child and his relationship with substances. The question boiled down to, “what do I do about my estate?” But really, this could apply to just about anyone who finds themselves in a place where there seem to be few options on the table. Why does this matter? Because you care. Because when you find yourself sitting in this place it feels downright miserable.  What you can do about it: Spend time getting clear on your priorities and concerns.  Check yourself to ensure tha ..read more

I did this funny thing yesterday and I’m wondering if you can relate; I wrote an entire question and answer style blog post. So pleased with having ‘done the thing’! But then realized, after searching around a little bit, that I hadn’t written it, instead opting to do a video. Whoops. Let’s correct that now. Without further delay, let’s talk about Intensive therapy and what prompted me to start offering it. In the area of mental health and emotional well-being, therapy has long been regarded as a powerful tool for personal growth. A tool that many would prefer not to access, but a tool nonethe ..read more

Call it what you’d like – therapy intensives, extended sessions, marathon sessions ~ they are all the same thing; a longer stretch of time to work out what’s needing to be worked out. If you’re like me, there are some projects or tasks that you just want to take on and get off your list in one swoop, while there are others that are more manageable with the slow and steady approach. Depending on what’s going on for you, that same thinking can be applied to tackling issues that have been niggling for a while. The Big Decision that’s been hanging over your head, the Regrettable Incident that hasn ..read more

Oh So Many Ways! Sometimes, once in a while, it’s nice to think that you’ve got it ‘all figured out’; that nothing else could possibly surprise you. And then, of course, something comes along and does just that. And, oddly enough, or at least you think it’s odd, you find yourself lying flat on your back thinking to yourself, “what the hell just happened? Where did that come from?” In working with couples, who have sought us out from all walks of life and all phases of relationships, we’re here to remind you that those moments aren’t all that surprising when you get over the shock of it all. Th ..read more

What it means to have an active user (or newly sober person) in your life by Lisa Curtis, LCSW, CASAC and Kimberly Goodrich, LCSW You’ve been kind and patient, waiting for the person in your life to wake up, smell the coffee ~ or in this case, the consequences ~ and stop engaging in the destructive behavior that keeps coming between you. The longer you wait however, the more upset you find yourself. “Why aren’t they just stopping?” “Can’t they see what this is doing?” “If they have stopped the destructive crap they were doing, why don’t things seem any better?” We’ve heard these statements, an ..read more