What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “boundary”? Maybe it’s a fence, gate or a towering wall. Psychologically and relationally, boundaries are assertive statements of limits used to describe feelings and needs, expressing what is “me” and my property, and what is “not me” and not my property. They…
I was sitting at a traffic light while silently and anxiously calculating my arrival time. Traffic was growing exponentially along with the likelihood I was going to be more than “fashionably” late. Suddenly, and without warning, something strangely familiar caught my attention. The check-engine light was blinking ominously. I tried to reassure myself it was…
Growing up we learn all sorts of lessons from our parents, teachers, friends and loved ones. One of those lessons is about random acts of kindness and using kind words when speaking to others. We all remember being kids and learning to “be kind to one another.” We hear quotes like, “In a world where…
I often encounter parents who are concerned because their child doesn’t talk about their feelings. Whether it’s in response to a separation or divorce, the death of a loved one, bullying at school, or any other number of issues, parents desire to help their children talk through their emotions. But therein lies the problem: Children…
One of my jobs as a therapist is to make sure that whoever walks into my office for the first time feels safe and comfortable. One way I often do this, is through humor. Here is a common exchange I engage in if they are new to therapy: Therapist: So… is this your first…
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do or what to say when someone you care about is mourning a loss. The Bible tells us to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15), but we often don’t know exactly how to do just that. I hear a lot of shared experiences from clients…
We often hear the words “guilt” and “shame” used synonymously. But when we look at the underlying meanings, there are some important differences to notice. Guilt is defined as a feeling that often follows when we have done something against our moral conviction, usually in the form of “I did something bad.” It often serves…
I’m sure we all remember being kids once, desperately plucking petals off a daisy and wondering if that special someone loves you or loves you not, daydreaming if you are enough to deserve their attention. Now as adults, have you ever wondered why we as a society struggle to “be enough” or “have enough” for…
Parenting, itself, is a challenge. But when parents are trying to raise children who are blended from different families, it is an even bigger one. When blending a family, a biological parent may feel disillusion that they found a new partner to share their life with and yet still feel like a single parent! A…
What if you could gift your child more than just a physical toy for Christmas this year? What if you could inspire them, build confidence, and encourage growth with the simple joy of a toy? The truth is, the kinds of toys we choose for our children can either inspire or stunt imagination, learning, confidence,…