Doing Life Together

TRUTH is controversial these days. It is variously slammed, considered a dirty word, or is the source of intolerance. Some say it doesn’t exist. My profession says there is no truth that can be known; that all reality is constructed. Put simply, no one occupies the corner on truth. Whatever works for you is your reality. This ambiguity…

A couple came to marital counseling, determined to divorce. Both felt they could not work through their differences. They said there was too much hurtful history, too many issues of trust and too much damage. I admit, they both had suffered greatly at the hand of the other and the work to shape up this relationship would be…

Renee is like most teen girls. She struggles to accept her body. Obsessed with concerns about weight, beauty and comparing herself to others, she regularly finds ways to disparage her body.  But her most recent issue takes body acceptance to a whole new level. And I will warn you, this is R rated. Renee is…

John and Mary had a fight. It was intense and neither is speaking to each other. Their relationship is suffering. Can they fix this? Both said some awful things and now feelings are hurt. They aren’t talking. But, they can fix this if they practice a skill that healthy couples use–relationship repair. Relationship repair is important because…

Controlling? No. He is jealous and loves me.  Yes, he wants to know where I go all the time but it’s just because he cares.  She doesn’t want me spending time with my friends but it’s because she wants to be with me.  Do any of these comments raise a red flag? They should! These are…

You don’t consider yourself too strict. You simply expect a lot from your children. In fact, some people call you a perfectionist. Yes, you are demanding. At times, you do push  because you want things to be right. But is there a dark side to high pressure, high performing pushes? Does perfectionism cause relationship problems? A study…

Newsweek online recently posted an article entitled, Age 5 is too late: Public schools must focus on early learning. The author pleaded for education reform. She said a “coordinated curriculum between both the early childhood education program and the elementary school program is crucial; thus, creating a public school system beginning at the age of 2,…

Have you ever thought, “I haven’t posted in social media for awhile. I don’t know what is going on?” Then you feel guilty and worry that you have somehow missed something important. Actually, those anxious feelings could be a good thing if you tolerate them. A break from social media might be saving your mental health,…

Sara is only 12. Selfie posting on social media is a daily event. Her parents wonder why she takes so many pictures of herself? Is this an indicator of narcism? Should they be concerned? These parents aren’t alone. Most of us wonder, what is the connection between selfies and narcissism? Researchers are trying to sort it out since selfies are here to…

When you struggle with your mental health, do you think, ‘Take a pill?” Drug companies want you to have this thought. Think of all the commercials aimed at improving your life through medication. But are all these pills really the answer to better mental health? After so many years of drug development and the availability of so…

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