“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
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
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: 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
Audio Recording (8:58) dropping anchor, adapted by Margarita. 'Dropping Anchor'** is a very useful skill. You can use it for handling difficult thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, urges and sensations more effectively. A: Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings C: Come back into your body E: Engage in what
Alice in wonderland is my name. "The household cat is really a tiger that has underwent three counselling programs." Valeriu Butulescu What science says about the human-animal bond: A study published in a UK medical journal in 2016* shows that pets are an important source of support in