20Aug

Doom Scrolling

In our current political and social climate it can be very daunting to be online as much as we are. Constantly bombarded with information about peoples lives from all over the world. As our age of the internet continues to grow exponentially so does our locus of concern. So much information is so readily accessible […]

10Aug

Bipolar Disorder – The Personal Side

I have had the privilege and honor of serving many people with Bipolar Disorder over the years. Those I have served are some of the most creative, brave, passionate and genuine people I have ever met.  People with Bipolar are just like everyone in else in that they experience the ups and downs of life. […]

01Aug

Bipolar Disorder – The Practical Side

“I have two moods. One is Roy, rollicking Roy, the wild ride of a mood.  And Pam, sediment Pam, who stands on the shore and sobs…Sometimes the tide is in, sometimes it’s out,” (Carrie Fisher, AKA Princess Leia).  Carrie Fisher, best known as Princess Leia in Star Wars, lived with Bipolar Disorder as do between […]

21Jul

Borderline Personality Disorder: What is it?

Borderline Personality disorder is sometimes referred to as complex PTSD. People often refer to borderline personality disorder in shorthand as BPD. BPD impacts self-concept or image, how one feels about themselves and others in their life, patterns of unstable relationships and may find it difficult to manage emotions and behavior. It usually begins in early […]

10Jul

Do As I Do (Parenting)-The Personal Side

A study by the American Journal of Psychiatry followed children of depressed parents over a 20 year period and found children were three times more at risk for mental health and substance abuse disorders than children whose parents were not depressed (integrisok.com). Please do not be overly concerned reading this if you have depression. Having […]

01Jul

Do As I Do (Parenting)-The Practical Side

Talk is cheap. What we say to our children about how they should behave, interact with others and manage stress is much less important than how we address these issues while our children are watching. And trust me, they are always watching. Our actions are far more powerful than our words. How we greet a […]

22Jun

Time Moves Quickly: Mindfulness & Presence

Someone told me this past week why it feels like time goes faster as you get older. When you are in your first year of life there is only 365 days between you and when you came into the world. With every year that passes, it becomes more days behind you than you’ve ever had before. At […]

15Jun

Changes to Mental Life in the “Post-COVID World”

While I am not a part of any historical committee that makes these decisions or labels, I do believe we are in what we can call the “Post-COVID World”. The quotations I put around this label serve 2 purposes: to indicate this is a formally defined term that everyone agrees with, and to give awareness […]

07Jun

Care for the Caregiver—The Personal Side

I have a friend whose mother-in-law—let’s call her Maureen–has taken care of her mother around the clock for several years. Maureen takes turns with one of her siblings to care for their mother in the home. This arrangement has been going on for years. And this is not uncommon.

01Jun

Care for the Caregiver—The Practical Side

Parents of special needs children, adult children caring for their parents, grandparents raising their grandchildren…when I think of caregivers, so many different types of people and roles come to mind.  Caregivers come in so many forms. Those who choose to care for others with special needs are some of the kindest, most giving and most […]