The common frustration in modern relationships is the emotional silence – the feeling that your male partner is holding back, refusing to share his true self, or simply can’t access his deeper... Read more »
If you experience chronic pain and PTSD, you might find yourself stuck in a loop of unhelpful thinking and avoidance behaviors that backfire over time. Research shows that people with both chronic... Read more »
Trauma doesn’t just wound us emotionally; it reshapes who we believe ourselves to be. But your identity can be reclaimed. In my work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I’ve supported thousands of... Read more »
Loneliness is not just about being alone. It is about feeling unseen. It is the quiet ache that surfaces when we are surrounded by people but still feel disconnected from ourselves. Emotional... Read more »
* Task-self and pain-self are terms I used here, and are not standard. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.). Barr, N., Atuel, H.,... Read more »
Why would a qualified, ethical therapist support their client’s decision to estrange from their family? Aren’t families sacred relationships that must be preserved at all costs? Not always. In fact, family estrangement... Read more »
One night recently, I “left” my kitchen while still standing in it. My wife was telling me about some family vexations she’d happened upon during the day. As soon as I heard... Read more »
You probably have seen articles about how important friendships are for our psychological, emotional, and physical health. Friends help us celebrate good times, but they are especially important when times are tough.... Read more »
For the better part of five years, I’ve been going to a shooting retreat in the foothills near Yosemite to improve my skills and have a bit of fun. These retreats or... Read more »
As the cold beer ran down my throat, the sharpness of my self-conscious thoughts started to lose its edge. The conversation started to flow, and the laughter became easier. The first time... Read more »