Many think of physical injury, often from a sudden impact, when hearing the word “trauma.” But we can suffer short- or long-term emotional injuries as well. When we lose a key relationship or something that means a lot to us, or when we experience betrayal, abuse or neglect, it hurts our hearts. And like aContinue reading “Heal Your Emotional Trauma, Heal Your Relationships”
Tag Archives: happiness
The Grief Work that Helps Us Get through Losses Big and Small
The past few years have produced more loss for more people—and, therefore, more grief—than in decades. The loss hasn’t been only through death, which the Covid pandemic certainly accelerated, but also through the big and small life changes: the ending of relationships, the loss of a job, relocating to an unfamiliar city, loss of homeContinue reading “The Grief Work that Helps Us Get through Losses Big and Small”
10 Ways to Support Your Mental Health
In addition to therapy, any or all of the following practices can add to your emotional quality of life and support your mental health: 1. Groups. Meeting others with similar life experiences can provide support and clarify issues. 2. Meditation. Sitting with your thoughts can increase your capacity for insight and self-awareness. 3. Bodywork. TreatmentsContinue reading “10 Ways to Support Your Mental Health”
How’s Your Self-Care?
Taking care of ourselves is often the last thing on our minds, though we all generally know that it’s more important than ever. We have to meet that deadline, use break time to run errands, accomplish all the items on our list. We all know the negative impact on our health that stress can have—so,Continue reading “How’s Your Self-Care?”
Increase Your Inner Strength to Thrive in Challenging Times
Catastrophic events like hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and floods can knock us to our knees. But personal catastrophes can pack an equally powerful punch. Our spouse is diagnosed with cancer, our son has a mental breakdown, we lose our home. Often these events seem to come out of nowhere and feel completely unmanageable as we struggleContinue reading “Increase Your Inner Strength to Thrive in Challenging Times”
How to Counter Your Inner Critic (When It Becomes Lethal)
The Critic is a common and unfortunate constant in our inner lives. This internalized voice assumes the tone and language of our mother, father, religion and/or society. After every step forward there it is, doubting or damning our choice. But for many people, “critic” is much too mild a word. The voice they hear isContinue reading “How to Counter Your Inner Critic (When It Becomes Lethal)”
Are Your Beliefs Affecting Your Mental Health?
Beliefs or assumptions about people, places and things can be automatic. It’s likely a throw-back to our reptilian brain, which constantly scans to see if we are safe or in danger. Some assumptions are useful and necessary—such as assuming that night will follow day. However, other beliefs and assumptions can undermine our well-being, our levelContinue reading “Are Your Beliefs Affecting Your Mental Health?”
10 Ways to Truly “Show Up” for Therapy
To be proactive in your own growth and development, you have to do more than just physically attend therapy sessions. Here are some additional ways to show up. 1. Know what you want. How do you want to feel? How will you know you’re improving and growing, or when you’re ready to stop? 2. ListContinue reading “10 Ways to Truly “Show Up” for Therapy”
Couples Unbalanced: The Dangers of Too Much (or Not Enough) Closeness
Two people fall in love and from that moment on, they go every- where and do everything together. They are a perfect match sexually. Their interests and values coincide in every respect. They are inseparable. This is how love goes…right? Well, no. This is the myth of being a couple: two lives merge into oneContinue reading “Couples Unbalanced: The Dangers of Too Much (or Not Enough) Closeness”
What’s Your Joy Quotient?
The level of joy you experience is often a direct reflection of the degree to which you’re living the life you want to be living—what many call “living your dream.” That dream could be as small as “I always wanted to be a dad” or as large as creating a one-person show and taking itContinue reading “What’s Your Joy Quotient?”
Joan Ferdinand Keleher MS, LCPC 