We’ve all heard of the “butterfly effect,” thanks in no small part to the 2004 film of the same name. The idea goes something like this: a butterfly flapping its wings in Texas may cause a hurricane in China due to a complex series of causes and effects resulting from the initial butterfly wing flap. …
Dynamic Systems Theory and Healing in Psychotherapy Read More »
Mentalization is a term that has been used in psychology since the late 1960’s. Mentalization is the ability to observe and communicate the mental state of oneself while imagining the mental state of others. The capacity to mentalize allows us to form and maintain healthy bonds to others. Through mentalizing we align our emotional state …
Holding The Mind In Mind: Mentalization and Relationship Health Read More »
My musical journey of songs that give me permission to feel… My purple Magnavox CD radio player lived for much of my youth next to my pillow on my bed. Not on a bedside table or floor, literally on my bed so that my face could be inches away from the speakers. I had a …
Tunes for Tuning In: Songs That Give You Permission To Feel Read More »
Many parents imagine they would want to be a supportive ally to their child in the event their child comes out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer. When faced with the task to do so, we may become surprised at our difficulty coping with the new information. This is why I always emphasize the …
Before, During, and After Coming Out: A Guide for Parents of LGBTQ+ Children Read More »
Simply put, what is anxiety? Anxiety is a condition that has become quite popular in the public lexicon. Hearing about anxiety can be tricky, especially when the word is thrown around without the proper amount of context. One way to look at it, there is a difference between anxiety in the general sense and anxiety …
Defense Mechanisms and Behavior or It’s Totally Normal to be Defensive There are you are, being distant or surly with your partner and kids after having had another stressful day at work. Or perhaps you attended a social gathering where you drank more than you planned and now you feel terrible for once again saying …
Why self-care is so important for our overall mental health (and what self-care looks like) Mental health has become a hot-button topic in pop culture, to the point that comedians mention it in the setup for some of their jokes, many times to land a punchline about the actions of a controversial celebrity or some …
It can seem almost impossible to find a consistent balance between the demands of work and the pursuits of everyday life. Work life balance is a concept that affects a vast amount of people since it applies to universal aspects of the average person’s lifestyle. It is true that most people define themselves strongly by …
There are several considerations to keep track of for a person who is dealing with social anxiety. From how to ensure consistent performance in the workplace, to managing the complicated ins and outs of personal relationships, to the pressures that can come from everyday demands and responsibilities, there are multitudes of things to balance. Then …
Returning To “Normalcy” While Suffering From Social Anxiety Read More »