Note from Hannah: This is the latest installment from the New Perspectives Series. This post was contributed by Dawn Clancy (and do yourself a favor and check out her blog and radio show, Growing Up Chaotic). When I set out to write this article, I pictured myself...
From Surviving to Thriving
Last weekend I went to a fantastic concert, right here in Portland. Enjoying the music, I realized I was not just hearing it, but feeling it as well. There were thirteen musicians on stage, so there was a lot to watch. I felt more deeply relaxed than I had in quite...
Looking Way (Way) Back: An Evolutionary Perspective for Modern Mental Health
Note from Hannah: This the first in a series of guest posts with the goal of providing new perspectives to mental health, wellness, and being a human. This piece was bravely shared by our guest writer, David. My brain is broken, I thought to myself, as I sat in a...
Holding Shadows: Forgiveness and Acceptance of the Past
I'm pleased to offer this piece by guest writer, James Day Leavitt. (photo credit: Siobhán Butler) I imagine my past as a long hallway, with doors along each side of the corridor. Behind some doors are my difficult experiences. Things I don’t want to see anymore. ...
Becoming Self-Assured: It’s Helpful, Not Selfish
Being self-assured yields kindness and contentment. This is contrary to what most of us were taught, and yet I’m increasingly sure that it is true. This is why, in my recent post about being self-assured, I questioned the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary about words...
More Info On EMDR and A Big Thank You!
I want to thank Dawn Clancy for having me on her terrific show, Growing Up Chaotic. Her program is all about overcoming issues related to growing up with addiction, abuse, and overall chaos. I'm inspired by her empowering message and her willingness to share of...
Can EMDR Help Me Change an Old Pattern?
Tomorrow I will be a guest on the internet radio program Growing Up Chaotic to discuss EMDR and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's at 7pm EST and I hope you will listen. As a result, I've got EMDR on the brain. I've been using this type of therapy with many of my...
Can People Really Change?
I'm always a little surprised when I'm asked, "Can people really change?" Yes, people can really change. And if you'll excuse the double negative, I'd say people can't not change. While I'm not an expert on too many things, my humble observation is that everything...
Surviving the Holidays with Your Family
Ever wonder if you are the only one who walks through the door of a family gathering and reverts to behaviors and mannerisms that have been mostly dormant for decades? I can fully assure you that it is extremely common, if not universal. I hear this complaint in my...