Have you noticed an ongoing commentary in the back of your mind that points out every mistake, omission, and fault you’ve made or might make? Most of us have it, commonly labeled the Inner Critic. You may have already noticed that arguing with your Inner Critic only leads to louder criticism, possibly about how self-critical… Read More
Articles
Choose Your Traditions
The winter holidays can be a difficult time for trauma survivors, whether the trauma was a divorce, car accident, or childhood abuse. In the US, on top of the stresses of winter weather, short days, and taking time for holiday preparations, there is an added pressure and expectation to be happy. “Merry Christmas!” everyone says,… Read More
The Gift of Resistance
Resistance is often seen as a problem, or even a character flaw. Instead, it can be seen as a gift of information from our deeper selves. Changing the focus At the beginning of a session, a client courageously announced, “I didn’t want to come today.” When I invited him to explore his feeling further, he… Read More
Emotional Abuse: You Deserve Better
Emotional abuse can be as obvious as name-calling and raging, or it can be so subtle you spend days wondering why you feel so bad. It can happen between intimate partners, parent and child, teacher and student, boss and employee, siblings, co-workers, friends, strangers, any time people are interacting. Usually, but not always, the person… Read More
Add Peace to Your Life
I used to think that my life would become peaceful after I resolved every issue I was facing and achieved every success I desired. After a while, I noticed that new issues and goals kept arriving without pause, and I needed to make peace a priority now, in the midst of struggle. It has improved… Read More
Kuan Yin, Goddess of Compassion
My healing practice is dedicated to Kuan Yin, Chinese Bodhisattva (Goddess) of Compassion, because I believe that all those who have suffered trauma need compassion, both from within and from others. Kuan Yin (also spelled Guan Yin, Quan Yin, Kwan Yin) originated as the Buddhist Sanskrit Avalokitesvara, a male Bodhisattva. Her full Chinese name, Guan… Read More