March’s highlighted position of the month is the Flex and Fondle. Hopefully things are beginning to calm down for you and yours after the chaos that ensued for many with the freak winter storm that swept much of the nation and state. Here’s to carving out some connecting time with your partner(s) for some much-needed sexual connection.
Read MoreLearning about the lizard brain can help you and the child in your life deescalate during heated moments. As parents, caregivers, and teachers we can wonder why children have a difficult time managing emotions. However, we often forget that they need to be taught. Just as we have taught them to brush their teeth, ride a bike, and conquer new math problems, we also have to teach them strategies to sit with their emotions and use coping strategies when possible.
Read MoreWelcome to part 3 of this blog series and thank you for following along! If you are just stumbling on this and have not already identified your Enneagram type, I strongly recommend going back and also reading about Type 1 and Type 2. To recap, I will be explaining all 9 Enneagram types and sharing personality specific self-care recommendations for each type.
Read MoreYour worth is intrinsic. It is a natural, stable part of your existence. Period.I wish I could stop there. Unfortunately, far too many of us don’t believe it, and will brush it off and keep holding on to the painful and false belief that your worth is dependent on what other people see. But no one’s worth – not mine, not yours, not theirs – is determined by a committee.
Read MoreIf you are just starting this blog series and have not already identified your type, I strongly recommend going back and also reading about type 1 too. To recap, I will be explaining the 9 Enneagram types and sharing personality-specific self-care recommendations. Many of these self-care ideas have been pulled from Christina S. Wilcox’s book, Take Care of Your Type.
Read MoreIf you are reading this, it is likely that you are already somewhat familiar with the Enneagram personality system. Some say it was invented in 1915, but others will argue that it was established by monks centuries earlier. It was originally designed to help individuals engage in deep self-reflection and heal emotional wounds.
Read MoreIt’s the year 2021… we all have screens everywhere. We have our phones, Ipad, TV, and computers. It can be a struggle to get off of them with the bright lights, access to our contacts, social media, etc. Imagine how difficult it would be as a child to have to turn off that type of powerful stimulation. I have these conversations with parents all the time… how do I limit my child’s screen time? Why does it seem my child is addicted to video games? Why does my child become so angry when it’s time to get off the electronics? What is the right amount of screen time? These are all wonderful questions, and there is not one right answer to these questions.
Read MoreFebruary’s highlighted position of the month is the Straddle Up. With COVID still being spread fairly rapidly, remember that if you or your partner are not feeling well, you might consider delaying sexual engagement. As a healthy sex practice, please continue to wash your hands before and after a sexual experience. Plus, if it helps you both to feel more comfortable, start your shared sexual experience by taking a shower together!
Read MoreIt’s that time again! I read and listened to some pretty powerful books in 2020, and I love sharing those that I found most impactful. Bibliotherapy is one of my favorite supplements to our work in therapy. There is so much research and wisdom out there that can deepen and enrich our work together. It’s impossible to cover it all in a weekly therapy session, and I wouldn’t want to anyway.
Read MoreCodependency has become widely regarded as a dirty word when it comes to relationships in our culture. American culture places a heavy emphasis on being wholly independent, independent from family, financially independent, as well as emotionally independent. We hear through all sorts of media that a strong person is one who does not rely on anyone else.
Read MoreIf you and your partner have recently welcomed home a new bundle of joy, first congrats! Second, I sincerely hope the two of you are adjusting to being new parents or parents again (and I’m also sending thoughts of rest and good sleep). Physical intimacy might be one of the furthest things from either of your minds right now – I’m looking at you, you sleep-deprived parents or new mommas who are breastfeeding – but, there will come a time when you and your partner are ready to explore physical intimacy again.
Read MoreYou did it, momma. You carried this little life for 9 months, went to countless appointments, and labored for hours (or not if you’re one of the lucky ones) and now you are holding a little one in your arms. Many people will give you all the advice about how to care for baby and what to do once they are here, but often don’t tell you how to care for yourself once baby is here. The moment that little one arrives, your hold world becomes about them and it is easy for you to forget to care for yourself. Sometimes, it’s not that you don’t want to, but truly feel like you are unable to.
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