For so many of us, August marks a time of change, a beginning or ending, or a shift from one life phase into another. Some of us return to school, leave home for college, or begin a new job. August is the long kiss goodbye to summer as our bodies and minds prepare to shift … Continue reading Increasing our Interoceptive Awareness to Cope with Change
Celebrating Women Pioneers in Mental Health: Judith Herman
Today I’m taking a moment to pause and reflect, thinking about the many important women who, both directly and indirectly, have informed and enriched my work. In graduate school, I was immensely pleased to learn of the many important women whose intelligence, conscientiousness, and diligent research contributed to the field of psychology. The work these … Continue reading Celebrating Women Pioneers in Mental Health: Judith Herman
Resmaa Menakem, “My Grandmother’s Hands”
In My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, Resmaa Menakem offers a stirring perspective that exposes racial trauma as a major undercurrent of American social systems, as well as the internal systems of the individual body. In his book, Menakem has created a psychology-based tome that examines the … Continue reading Resmaa Menakem, “My Grandmother’s Hands”
SAD and Seasonal Depression: How to Deal
It’s that time of year again: less sunshine, and long, dark days. Winter has arrived, and with it, the cold and endless stretch of time. While some of us embrace this period of semi-hibernation, others experience a pervasive sense of dread, hopelessness, and just plain blah. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to recognize that … Continue reading SAD and Seasonal Depression: How to Deal
“Planning”: Adult ADHD’s Dirty Word?
Whether or not someone is diagnosed with ADHD, this type of neurodivergence seems to be prohibitive to the idea of planning one’s day. Many clients with ADHD have complained about feeling overwhelmed around the pressure to “get things done.” Some exhibit real anxiety when they describe rising each morning to a “blank slate,” while others … Continue reading “Planning”: Adult ADHD’s Dirty Word?
Neurodivergent: What is it, and Why Is It Showing Up in My TikTok?
I first heard of the term "neurodivergent" from a client, who had used it to describe her partner. Always curious, I asked her to elaborate while I took some notes. Later, when I looked into the term, I was pleasantly surprised by the wealth of information I found. The term "neurodivergent" refers to a viewpoint … Continue reading Neurodivergent: What is it, and Why Is It Showing Up in My TikTok?
Suicidality and Suicide Prevention Month
Awhile back, we spoke with faculty at UMKC about student stress and suicide risk. Suicidality among college students is a very real concern, and the additional stressors brought on by COVID-19 serve to exacerbate what is already a vulnerable psychological state. As September is Suicide Prevention Month, here is a simple guide of what to … Continue reading Suicidality and Suicide Prevention Month
Increasing our Interoceptive Awareness to Cope with Change
For so many of us, August marks a time of change, a beginning or ending, or a shift from one life phase into another. Some of us return to school, leave home for college, or begin a new job. August is the long kiss goodbye to summer as our bodies and minds prepare to shift … Continue reading Increasing our Interoceptive Awareness to Cope with Change
Setting Boundaries: Putting Self-Care into Action
In therapy, we are always talking about boundaries. Here’s a quick summary on what boundaries are, why they’re important, how to set and stick to them, and even some examples of healthy boundaries. WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES? Boundaries are the invisible lines that we draw in order to keep ourselves safe. You could think of boundaries … Continue reading Setting Boundaries: Putting Self-Care into Action
A Closer Look at ‘Chronic Emptiness’
Say the words “Borderline Personality Disorder” (BPD) to someone who is unfamiliar with personality disorders and you’ll likely get a response that highlights “anger issues,” suicidality, impulsivity, and fear of abandonment. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex condition characterized by instability of one’s self-concept, emotions, and behavior. What many people don’t know is that … Continue reading A Closer Look at ‘Chronic Emptiness’
