Parenting is, equally, one of the hardest and most gratifying jobs that exists.  It is full of curve balls, fast balls, foul balls, and strike outs that leave you feeling less than equipped, and far from celebratory.  Occasionally though, you find yourself cheering silently to yourself for accomplishing what feels like a parenting home run, […]

The New Year’s holiday seems to bring about a sense of hope for the upcoming year. We tend to reflect on the past 12 months and look forward to what the new year will bring. Unfortunately, as with most things, our society likes to go overboard with this concept. We make big promises to ourselves […]

Have you ever seen the movie “Four Christmases?” If not, I highly recommend it for some guilty viewing pleasure! It is the story about a couple who visits their families around Christmas time only to be triggered by various forms of family dysfunction at every corner! They encounter situations with messy family boundaries, uncomfortable family […]

December is a month full of celebrations. Regardless of faith or religion, it is difficult to not get caught up in the excitement of the season. It is a time that society tells us is full of happiness, joy, family, togetherness, and so on. What we see on social media and television is usually also […]

Have you ever gotten so angry or frustrated that you just want to scream? Or just want to punch something? The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM) study revealed that anger can cause a person to lose the use of their prefrontal cortex which is what we use for making good […]

Transitions in life are marked by a level of difficulty or discomfort depending on the circumstances surrounding it. When we adjust to major life changes, we gradually find our footing, gain familiarity with all that feels new, and eventually life just starts to feel “normal” again after awhile. This is not normally the case with […]

First and foremost, if the symptoms of depression are making your want to end your life contact your doctor/therapist/mental health professional as soon as possible.

It’s that time of year again for the holidays! Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are just three of the biggest holidays in America. The time people spend on decorating their homes, shopping for gifts, wrapping and hiding said gifts, and of course, traveling can cause even the most easy-going person to feel the stress and anxiety […]

Growing up one of my favorite movies was “Pollyanna.” The story is about a girl who had many tragic events befall her, but she refused to give in to the negativity that would have been so easy for her to adopt. Her optimism was infectious, and she was able to help others develop the skill […]

Most of us have experienced the heightened anger and frustration that comes from heavy traffic and thoughtless drivers. I have, on more than one occasion, allowed a few choice words to spill out when being cut off in traffic. However, my “road rage” has improved considerably since moving to this large city. I hear on […]