Photo by Kid Circus. Childhood is often portrayed as a time of innocence, laughter, and boundless joy. Yet, for some, it can be a time of confusion, loneliness, pain, and emotional scars that linger into adulthood. Childhood relational trauma is a silent struggle that many individuals face. Still,
Photo: Margarita, 2012 -Image Remix from Original. "Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our
“Intimacy is not something freely given. It requires your attention, willingness, and intentional effort.” - Gillian Florence Sanger As a psychotherapist, I have witnessed numerous individuals and couples grappling with codependent relationships. Some share that they grew up in a home where parents were engaged in codependent dynamics. As a trauma
The main thing is this — when you get up in the morning you must take your heart in your two hands,” the poet and storyteller turned activist Grace Paley’s father told her in what remains the finest advice on growing older. “You must do this every morning.” A few
I first heard about the "sober curious lifestyle" during conversations with some clients about Depression, Anxiety, Sleep challenges and Alertness. Then, given my curious nature, I looked more in-depth into what that means and why many people concerned about their mental health are introducing this concept in their lives.
M. Nohassi We often encounter a wide range of personalities and emotional behaviours in our daily interactions with others. Some individuals demonstrate high emotional maturity, while others may exhibit of emotional immaturity. Even the more emotionally mature people can occasionally show emotional immaturity when under stress or
“Losing will not always amount to a loss, sometimes you have to lose those toxic relationships and bad habits to create a space for better things.” ― Gift Gugu Mona Toxic relationships can manifest in various aspects of our lives, from personal connections to the workplace environment. These detrimental dynamics
Pramod Tiwari “We need much less than we think we need.” ― Maya Angelou In pursuing a fulfilling life, we often chase happiness, believing it to be the ultimate destination. We yearn for the rush of excitement, the thrill of success, and the exhilaration of new experiences. Yet,
Alice Alinari “It is one of the great paradoxes of the human condition – we ask some variation of the question, “How are you feeling?” over and over, which would lead on to assume that we attach some importance to it, yet we never expect or desire or provide
Steven Smith "Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve." Earl Grollman Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience that
Evgeni Tcherkasski Grief is a powerful and complex emotion that accompanies losing a loved one. It can leave us feeling shattered, disoriented, and uncertain about our future. However, amidst the darkness, there is an opportunity for growth and relearning. One of the complexities of grief is that the
Marek Piwnicki In the realm of relationships, boundaries serve as the invisible force that defines our emotional and physical limits, shaping the dynamics we share with others. The first and perhaps more meaningful stage in which we learn how to locate ourselves in a relationship is
Jacek Dylag Recently, the demands placed on frontline workers have surged to unprecedented levels. The tireless efforts to safeguard lives and provide essential services have affected their mental and emotional well-being. Burnout, a state of chronic exhaustion, has become a pressing concern affecting frontline workers and their
Robert Anderson You are never to small to make a difference. Greta Thunberg In recent years, a growing concern has emerged among young adults regarding the state of our planet. This mounting worry about the environment, often called eco-anxiety, is a psychological response to the ongoing climate crisis
Life flies by, and it's easy to get lost in the blur. In adolescence, it's 'How do I fit in?' In your 20s, it's 'What do I want to do?' In your 30s, 'Is this what I'm meant to do?' I think the trick is living the questions. Not worrying
“Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness
The forest bird. “Anything that is human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know
Love needs certainty and reciprocity. It's a process where each is forced to change while resisting the change. Esther Perel The challenges. As a psychotherapist, I have seen firsthand how narcissistic traits can create challenging relationship dynamics. Narcissistic traits can include a lack of empathy, an excessive need for
Photo: Helena Lopes The "feel good hormones." When we touch, or someone we experience as safe touches us – cuddle, hug, or hold hands – our bodies release "feel good" hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies, we experience
Photo: Niko Photos In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted and bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful. Alice Walker Why exposure to nature is important. As a psychotherapist and avid hiker, I have seen the immense benefits of exposure to nature on
Photo: Greg Rosenke Did you know about the 'Hope Molecules’? The 'hope molecules’ are live molecules called myokines in our body that release when we exercise, specifically when our muscles contract. They have an effect on our mood and brain functioning. As a psychotherapist, I often discuss the
Photo by Margarita. Spring is a fabulous time of the year... ... for noticing the changes and enduring transformations in nature, paying attention to how everything is constantly changing and rebirthing. Satisfaction comes not from chasing bigger and bigger things but from paying attention to smaller and
Photo: Priscilla du Prees Most of us want to be heard and understood. Talking about our thoughts and feelings with a supportive and non-judgemental person outside our circle of friends and family makes us feel better. Talking about your life experiences, perspectives, and emotions can help you resolve
Photo: Tyler Nix “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.” Maya Angelou. How do you want to be remembered? What are the true highlights of your life you want people to remember? At a meditation retreat, one of the exercises they gave us was to reflect on
Photo: Nikklas Ohlrogge My therapist once said -well, maybe not once but a few times :-), "anyone can feel enlightened sitting in meditation alone inside a cave or on a deserted island." Relationships are invitations to exercise introspection, self-awareness, generosity, boundaries, and empathy. They test how we