We find so many different words for it. Sometimes we call it the blues, the doldrums, or the blahs. Everbody gets feelings of being sad or blah sometimes -- it's a pretty normal part of life. What happens, though, when it doesn't go away? When do we know that it's something more than just feeling down, and is more accurately...[ read more ]
Although our society has come a long way, there still is a stigma associated with mental health care, counseling and psychotherapy. I don’t know what the current statistics are(or how you could accurately get at the number), but I would suspect that most people at one point or another will seek the services of a mental health counselor at least...[ read more ]
Facebook memes come and go, most of them without our really noticing or remembering what was circulating the year before. Along with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that is presently circulating, another is catching on: The Gratitude Challenge. In this particular meme, people are challenged to list 5 things for which they are grateful over the course of 5 consecutive...[ read more ]
Finally, there was a explanation for Emma's moodiness, temper tantrums and inconsistent performance in school. At age 12, her exasperated parents took her to a psychologist and she received a diagnosis: Bipolar. Although saying that she or her parents were happy to receive the news wouldn't be quite right -- however, it did provide a certain level of relief knowing...[ read more ]
If you want to know how to be miserable, I can give you an excellent recipe: Hope for something. That's right, I said it. A licensed professional counselor is telling you that if you want to be happy, you're going to need to let go of hope. And I mean, really let it go. Let go of hoping for a...[ read more ]
"What makes you vulnerable is what makes you beautiful." When I heard Brené Brown say this in her Ted Talk on vulnerability, I froze. The simplicity of it was astounding! Although it seems like really basic advice, Brené is shaking up the world of counseling, coaching and psychotherapy with a very simple theory for building relationships: be vulnerable! And, her...[ read more ]
I don’t know about you, but the thought of seeing a therapist is something that doesn’t bring with it the excitement of a two-week vacation to Maui. In fact, despite how much people hate the dentist, most people are even more reluctant to see a counselor or mental health therapist. In my years of practice, I’ve never had someone call...[ read more ]
I find myself recommending the same books for clients in my counseling and coaching practice in Denver. Here's a list of my top-10 book recommendations and why. Marriage and Relationships 1) The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary D. Chapman This is an excellent book that can be read quickly by both members of a...[ read more ]
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is "What's the difference between a therapist and a life coach?" It's a great question, and there's no wonder that there's a lot of confusion out there about it. I once paraphrased a comedian who compared coffee and wine to different types of therapists. I like to compare coffee and wine...[ read more ]
