Creativity has long been recognized as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and resilience. Some of the world’s most renowned artists—think Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Van Gogh—were known for both their artistic abilities and the ways they expressed their inner struggles in their art. While these artists were known for both their artistic brilliance and…
A common challenge that many couples face is understanding their individual styles of desire for physical intimacy in their marriages. Differing types of desire often create confusion and conflict. However, there is hope to have a healthy understanding of personal desire for intimacy that can start conversations to promote mutual understanding. Individual desire for sexual…
The holiday season can bring lots of joy, happiness, gratitude, fulfillment, and much more. You get to spend time with your family and friends, buy presents, cook delicious meals, and the list continues. However, the holidays can also bring some sadness, loneliness, and stress. We are missing loved ones who are no longer with us,…
Self-care isn’t always easy, no matter what time of year it is. But this time of year can oftenbring additional challenges that make maintaining routines and practices extra difficult. Maybeyou’re figuring out how to fit multiple holiday obligations into a schedule already loaded withresponsibilities. Maybe you’re a student approaching the end of the semester with…
Emotional cycles are the interactive elements in our relationships with family members, friends, and co-workers. Negative cycles start when we become triggered by a someone’s troubling tone of voice, facial expression, or remarks. Immediately, we will feel an emotion that often prompts us to get angry or anxious. We may feel a bodily sensation due…
Christmas time is here! The lights are up, the tree is shining bright, and the festive retail world is in full force. The time for cheer has begun, but for some of us, the holiday season can bring about the Christmas blues. Although most people enjoy this time of year, there are some who experience…
Hope for Humility & The Good Life As we gear up for a season with seemingly endless opportunities to receive gifts, I contend that one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is developing a more robust practice of gratitude. Even though we like to believe that we do things altruistically for others most…
Children want to be seen and heard. They long for connection with their parent or caretaker. They want to know they are important, loved, and valued. What does it mean to “be seen and heard”? It means to be known and for someone to know you and take interest in and validate the things that…
With summer break in full swing, it is hard to figure out what to do all day! Today’s world is filled with technology, screens, and (as of 2014) more computers than humans! The technology wave came fast and it came strong, with little time for people to keep up with the rapidly changing technology available.…
When I was a teenager, I sat down to breakfast each morning and waited for my dad to pass me the sports page. The 20 minutes we spent talking headlines, him in his suit, me in my flannels and Timberland boots – it was the 90s – was critical to our relationship. It was just…