When boundaries are done right, they feel like a gift. When done poorly, they feel like a punishment. There is a lot of confusion about what it means to have boundaries and how exactly to “do” them. This holiday season, let’s do boundaries well. So well, no one even knows you are “doing” them. In that spirit, my gift to you is a simple, three-step action plan to happy, healthy boundaries for the holiday season. Read more…

This post originally appeared on hannah-curtis.com, Hannah’s site all about communication. Check it out.  Friends, family members, clients, even the cashier at the grocery store, have said to me, “I can’t talk about politics without getting into a fight.” Many people want to avoid conflict, so they just keep the frustration inside. But some of us feel like there is too much at stake to keep quiet. If now is not the time to speak up, when would be? I’m here to tell you that yes, you can talk about politics. And no, it doesn’t have to lead to a fight.  But you HAVE to do it differently. If you want to be part of the solution and stop engaging in the division, buckle up, leave your ego at the door, and take a ride through three unexpected steps that can get you where     . . . read more

When you are a teacher at the end of the school year, it can be hard to put one foot in front of the other. You so badly want to be DONE already, but you still feel that pressure to pull off incredibly engaging and meaningful year-end activities. It’s no wonder that burn out is common this time of year. I totally get it. I, too, was a teacher before becoming a therapist. I remember the burnout, the exhaustion, and the PRESSURE. I am grateful for my colleagues who would remind me that teachers pack a full year of work into 9 months! We are understandably exhausted by the end of it. It makes total sense. You deserve a real break this summer, a time to fully recharge. I find that if you use this time to address sources of     . . . read more

As we approach Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment to reflect on spirit of this holiday which exists beyond the greeting cards and the Sunday brunches. My daughter is 7 this year, and I’ve been searching for ways to help this holiday bring lasting and meaningful memories for both of us. Recently, I attended a spiritual enrichment group that I meet with twice a month. The theme for this week was our grandparents. The group searched for memories of their grandparents as we talked. Some of the stories were heart-warming, others were marked with sadness and loss. As the meeting progressed, I had the opportunity to reflect on my experiences with my own grandparents, particularly my grandmother. One thing that surfaced was my experience of her being a kindred spirit for me. She was a strong, resilient and     . . . read more

Laura Watters, LCPC joined New Approaches last fall and has quickly shown herself to be an absolute rockstar therapist. I sat down with her to talk more about her approach and why she is so darned popular with clients. Here’s what she had to say: How would you describe your style to a potential client? Clients say that I’m personable and have a warm conversational style. I want the space to be open and welcoming for you. I want you to feel comfortable talking about the hard stuff. That takes courage and I’m here to provide the support. It’s all about us collaborating, bringing together your wisdom and life experience with my guidance and direction. That will keep your process moving forward. Tell us about your areas of specialty. I have been in several roles over the last 10 years and     . . . read more