Sign stating self care isn't selfish as tip for mental health management

Mental Health Management Tips for 2023

It doesn’t have to be New Year, Same You. When it comes to resolutions, we tend to think about physical health; the exterior and external world reign (like quitting smoking,…

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Going “Home” for the Holidays

November 14, 2022

For some of us, including me, the phrase “going home for the holidays” invites anxiety, dread, and avoidance. Every year I struggle to decide what to do for Thanksgiving. The…

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Relational Landscapes

August 18, 2022

As a therapist trained in family systems, I am always entangled in the relational world of the clients that I guide and support. My meditation on the word “relationship” has…

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Mind, Body, and Soul Care

July 21, 2022

In a busy world, it can be challenging to remember to pause and take inventory of how you’re doing emotionally and mentally. With endless to-do lists and constant overstimulation from…

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Permission for Pleasure

As summer weather quickly approaches, there are a few things that come to mind: sun, sand, and sex. There is something inherently erotic about hot summer nights, sunbaked skin and…

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Summer Slow Down

School’s out (or about to be) for Summer! And that means warmer weather, more daylight, rushing kids around to camps, and hopefully some vacations with friends and family. Summer can…

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A Lesson from Buddhism (and the Seasons)

April 21, 2022

It’s that time of year when, if you squint your eyes, you can see little green buds on the tips of the trees. What looks like a green haze on…

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The Great Resignation, the Great “Rethink,” and What Happens Next

The last couple of years have been, from a mental health point of view, pretty much of a perfect storm: extremes of polarization and breakdown in our political process and…

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amberella council for relationships power hearts

How CFR Therapy Changed a Life and Inspired a Powerful Art Series

February 7, 2022

If you live or work in Philadelphia, then you probably recognize the work of area artist Amberella. Her hearts can be found all over the city with short, yet powerful…

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Mental Health and The First Responder – Part 2

February 2, 2022

Try to imagine having a job where you know there is a distinct possibility you could be killed while doing your job. Imagine that your job description requires you to…

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Mental Health and the First Responder – Part 1

January 20, 2022

In the last two years, first responders in general, and police officers and firefighters more specifically, have been enduring tremendous stress while dealing with the challenges of a nation divided….

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It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year – Unless, of Course, It’s Not

December 16, 2021

The holiday season often injects pressure into our world. Sometimes the holiday season forces family time on us when we may not want or be ready for those interactions. Other…

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Toxic Positivity: It’s Ok to Not Be Ok All of The Time

July 15, 2021

“Good vibes only.” “Never give up.” “Just keep smiling.” “Look on the bright side.” We’ve heard these phrases time and time again. In times of difficulty, we may be told…

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An Open Letter to Naomi Osaka

June 10, 2021

Dear Naomi, It’s with a heavy heart that I write you this letter because I feel the weight of the emotional pain you must be experiencing. Not only are you…

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The Importance of Homeostasis & Self-Love

April 15, 2021

Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, gender, ethnicity, hue, or identity. All humans can be subjected to experiencing mental health challenges. The objective is to determine how…

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“My Name is Tiger”: Navigating the Road to Recovery After Acute Injury

Tiger Woods’ road to recovery is just beginning. For many people who have experienced devastating injuries, the stabilization and mitigation of acute injuries is just the beginning. A car accident…

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I Have No Excuse to Feel This Bad!

How many times over the past year have you heard (or uttered to yourself) something along the lines of “I know other people have it so much worse than me, so I…

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5 Ways to Say Goodbye to 2020

December 24, 2020

When Twitter recently asked folks to describe 2020 in one word, the responses flooded in. Here are some of the words that stood out to me: Restless. Pain. Sourdough. Masks….

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Shifting Perspectives: Confusion as The New Norm Part II – Being Open to Experience and Self-Regulation

Ann Masten, a renowned professor and researcher on resilience, has written volumes on this topic. She documented Post-Traumatic Growth and the reality that some people actually improve their functioning after…

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Shifting Perspectives: Confusion as The New Norm Part I – Tragic Optimism, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Grief

In conversations with clients, friends, and colleagues, and in the materials I have read from numerous mental health sources, the word “surreal” is often used to describe the feeling of…

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Experiencing the Holidays: COVID-19 Edition

November 19, 2020

Is it just me or do other people also feel a bit of tension during the holiday season? The food and festivities are great, but at different times between November…

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