One of the most challenging aspects of this period is that, as a collective, we are in the midst of complicated grief. Also called “traumatic grief”, this is a form of grief that can’t be easily resolved. How do you move through the tragedy of over a million lives lost in this country alone, so […]
A Proven Cure for Trauma
Though there is plenty that is stressful in the world these days, I’ve found that what drives folks’ distress most are memories of things that have already happened. In our logical mind, we know that we’ve survived those incidents. But our inner mind, which is aimed at trying to protect us from threats, can remain […]
On Empathy and Setting Boundaries
Lately, I’ve heard too many people expressing the need for better boundaries and stronger voices to call it a coincidence. Since we are not isolated from the systems in which we are embedded, this need seems linked to the emerging collective need to stand up to systemic oppression prompted by having had a perpetrator for […]
Becoming Confident
When I ask my clients what quality they most want to cultivate, most say they crave confidence. The dictionary defines confidence as “the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.” But how do you come to be confident when those you’ve relied upon failed to provide that foundation of […]
How Helpers Overcome Energy Drain, Anxiety, and Loneliness
In this time of global suffering, Empaths and Helpers are in a sacred role to help heal the planet. Sadly, the capacity to attune to and care for others, including the earth, is not a given. It may be because we have hyper responsive mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are brain cells that react the same […]
Beyond Mindfulness: Self-Compassion when you are distressed
Neuroscience informs us that it’s in our highest interest to move our awareness beyond mindfulness to what I call “Heartfulness.” While witnessing our own distress without judgment is key, learning to respond to ourselves with love is what’s most healing. In fact, when researchers at the Max Plank institute compared various types of meditation, those […]
Not Good Enough?
I’m surprised how often my clients, even those quite successful in their professions, report struggling with the core belief “I’m not good enough.” This belief is very closely linked to the feeling of shame, which is just about the densest experience a person can have.
The Only Diagnosis
As a psychologist, I am trained to discern among a variety of mental diagnoses. Yet I wonder, is there a common denominator to them? Rob Williams, founder of a powerful belief-shifting technique I offer clients called Psych-K, says, “I think there is really only one disorder: I call it ‘the illusion of separation’. If you […]
The Power of Imagination
In my work, I am continually blown away by the inborn creative capacity my clients have to shift their state of mind and body. I’ve come to the conclusion that imagination is a powerful tool in healing. See, much of your brain doesn’t know the difference between whether you are imagining something or really experiencing […]
Addicted to Emotions?
Have you ever found yourself unable to get out of the rut of a negative frame of mind? According to author Joe Dispenza, emotions can become addictive because your body becomes conditioned to memorizing the emotions associated with your core beliefs. Dispenza writes, “These emotions, which are nothing more than the chemical records of past […]