21Feb

Anger: A Complex Emotion

“When anger rises, think of the consequences.” -Confucius Anger is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences. At times everyone feels annoyed, frustrated, irritated or angry. Anger can be expressed by shouting, swearing, or sometimes throwing and smashing things. It can become physical towards other people or ourselves. Some people may withdraw when they become […]

26Oct

Accepting Imperfection

When you were a child did you hear the words, “children are to be seen and not heard?” Were you allowed to express your feelings such as sadness or anger, or were you expected to be happy and perfect at all times? As I sit here and think about my childhood, I remember having to behave a certain […]

26Feb

Why Is My Child Angry?

A child exhibiting aggressive behavior can be experienced by others as being a bad kid. However, this is not the case. Anger is used by children as a way for them to shield themselves from deeper emotional distress. Aggressive behavior can be an outward symptom of depression, guilt, fear, disappointment, jealousy, frustration, anxiety, sadness, or hurt, among other emotions.

15Jul

Fumbling for Happiness – The Personal Side

I have never been a “Pollyanna” type of person. While I am positive and find joy in everyday life, I am also a realist. I think about the positive and negatives of situations and I deeply empathize with others’ suffering—hence the career as a psychotherapist.

01Jul

Fumbling for Happiness – The Practical Side

Even if you are not what people refer to as “clinically depressed,” you may believe happiness is elusive, an enigma or just something you see on TV or in movies. Few people seem to exude joy and happiness on a regular basis. And yet, if you surveyed people on the street for a day outside […]

01Apr

April Showers Bring… -The Practical Side

By the year 2020, the World Health Organization predicts that depression will be the second leading cause of reduced life expectancy due to suicide and to other related medical conditions, like heart disease (Preston, 2011). Depression can occur any time of year, including the spring. As the air turns warmer and flowers bloom, people may […]