Change How You Talk to Yourself, Change How You Feel
When you're faced with a difficult decision, stressful situation, or an upsetting event, how do you talk to yourself about it? Do you think things like this? "I'm so unhappy," or "I just don't know what to do." If the answer is yes, you can help yourself a lot with a small but significant change to your mental vocabulary.
Treating OCD with IFS
Just a word about treating OCD with IFS. Treating obsessive and compulsive parts with IFS is quite different from treating it in the Exposure and Response Prevention, the most commonly recommended approach. IFS treats OCD parts as what they are--managers and fire fighters who have jobs to do. If you can help the exiles underneath these protectors, there will be less need for the OCD protective behaviors. (This might be complicated if there are still constant stressors in the client's life, from which they need protection.)
Letting Go does not mean to Stop Caring...
To 'let go' does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.To 'let go' is not to cut myself off, it is the realization that I can't control another.To 'let go' is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.To 'let go' is not to try to change or blame another, it is to make the most of myself.
Inner Critics: Everyone has one, trauma survivors have MORE
Everyone I work with has a cast of fierce inner critics. It comes with being neglected or abused in childhood. But critics also are just plain part of being human. No child gets out of childhood without difficulties. Humiliations come with growing up. Losses come with being alive. Inner critics are parts of the human psyche who say, "I'm gonna keep you from getting hurt again by criticizing you before anyone else can." In other words, they are our fiercest protectors!
How to get the RIGHT Weighted Blanket
I know--! Everyone is raving about weighted blankets--at least the trauma therapists I know--but I would like to add my voice to the discussion. Recently, I heard they are selling them at Costco and Target. But all weighted blankets are not equal, as I have found through trial and error.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving | A helpful book for clients
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving, by Pete Walker. This book is aimed at clients trying to recover from painful childhoods, and is quite comprehensive. You will likely see your spouse, friends, former friends, difficult coworkers illuminated here, as well as your own lifelong patterns.
OCD and Strep Infection in Kids or 'PANDAS'
This is an important thing to know about if you are a parent, grand parent, or treat children! New research about the occurrence of OCD symptoms following a strep infiection, AND their possible treatment with doses of antibiotics
Program to Heal your Shame
The Center for Creative Growth is a wonderful gem in the East Bay therapy community. The jewel in their crown is what they call the 20 Week Intensive, a truly fantastic resource for people who struggle with Codependence and the SHAME that is at the core of it.
6 Kinds of Love: how many do you have?
Looking for an antidote to modern culture's emphasis on romantic love? Perhaps we can learn from the diverse forms of emotional attachment prized by the ancient Greeks, from the book How Should We Live? Great Ideas from the Past for Everyday Life, by Roman Krznaric.
4 Happiness Rituals informed by Neuroscience
You get all kinds of happiness advice on the internet from people who don't know what they're talking about. Don't trust them.Actually, don't trust me either. Trust neuroscientists. They study that gray blob in your head all day and have learned a lot about what truly will make you happy.UCLA neuroscienceresearcher Alex Korb has some insights that can create an upward spiral of happiness in your life.
The Confidence Code, by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
Dear clients, I think you might really like to know about this gem of a book for your daughters or for yourself. I can't say enough about what I learned from this book. I am buying five copies to lend and to give to my friends, colleagues and clients.
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