Category: Body-Mind Psychotherapy
The Good Therapy Blog
December 28th, 2010 |
We all do it, assess where we are each year and vow to improve in the coming one. Many of us are probably having the conversation with ourselves right now. We might even be thinking about how to improve our relationships, and maybe we are thinking of how we can be a better partner to our mate. Whatever you may be considering, let’s look at the changes differently this year. Why not make 2011 your breakout year, and your best yet?
I’m talking about making... Read More
December 20th, 2010 |
The holiday season means hearing songs with lyrics like "It's the most wonderful time of the year" and "Joy to the world." To people who struggle with memories of abusive relationships, this time of year can be far from wonderful or joyful. The holidays can trigger unhappy memories, even traumatic experiences. Instead of experiencing family togetherness, there's loneliness, anxiety and depression. If you are one of those people whose heart aches from abusive relationships, here are some suggestions to help yourself during the holiday season.
Take control of how you want to spend the holidays.... Read More
November 30th, 2010 |
So far this series has explored how the body-mind reacts to situations in early life where there is stress from external tension or inconsistent care. But what happens when care is forthcoming to the point where a growing child feels stifled? Let’s conjure up a scenario to explore this.
Imagine a child who is oohed and ahh-ed over. This is a good thing right? Right, but the saying “everything in moderation” has merit even here. When a baby is fondled and oohed and ahh-ed over, it is meant as encouragement and an exchange of joy- this is essential for healthy development. But for... Read More
November 29th, 2010 |
It may be the idealized image of television shows, or perfect, ever-present pictures in advertising in newspapers and magazines, or just the plan hopefulness with which we all start our families. But most of us don’t plan to include chronic, life-long health problems in our family plan.
Our bodies are quite amazing creations, able to fight off disease, recover from injury, grow, age and change every day. We aren’t minds that have bodies attached, but we are instead bodies that think. We must eat, move, think, rest, work and love with our physical selves in mind. And for the most part,... Read More
November 29th, 2010 |
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
attr. to Buddha
I hope that many of you will have had a warm, happy Thanksgiving, surrounded by people you enjoy and care for, feeling a deep sense of connection. For those of you who were fortunate in those ways, I feel grateful on your behalf!
As November comes to an end, I’m reflecting on just how much we may not only want to be, but believe that we should be (even must be), happy and healthy, surrounded by loving friends and family, really enjoying it all – especially during... Read More
October 29th, 2010 |
Starting the day with fibromyalgia pain made Vera angry
Fibromyalgia made it hard for 46 year old Vera to get her legs out of bed in the morning. As she moved toward the bathroom and began her toilette, the pangs of pain moved to her hands, head and neck. It brought tears to her eyes. It made her angry to think that Kurt hadn’t even thought of organizing things around the house to make life a little easier for her. Vera remembered the arguments about accompanying her on doctor appointments and got even angrier. But she never said anything to him. She turned her mind to the support group she... Read More
October 4th, 2010 |
Should Elijah be concerned about his mole?
Elijah nicked a mole on his upper lip while shaving one morning. He covered it with tape and went on with his busy day. Managing his fine arts import company and finding distributors that would sell the fine porcelain gave him enormous pride and self-esteem. He enjoyed making a reality out of the unpredictable nature of the business. Rain or shine, sick or not Elijah never missed a day. He always had his finger on the pulse of every part of the trade, and that’s what helped him sleep at night.
Malignant melanoma diagnosis shocks Elijah
He didn’t... Read More
July 30th, 2010 |
Rheumatoid arthritis disrupts Anika's career early in life.
At the age of 44 Anika a fitness trainer and tennis coach was crushed by a diagnoses of Rheumatoid arthritis. She had always been the epitome of health and vitality. She watched her diet and weight and enjoyed her physically active life and career. Recently pain and stiffness in her fingers, wrists and knees was making it difficult for her to swing the tennis racket and get her clients bodies to work out effectively. She was getting tired more quickly, and finding herself fatigued even when she was at rest.
Women are twice as likely... Read More
July 23rd, 2010 |
What can you do to improve the chances that couples therapy is worth the time and money you put into it? In other words, what makes marriage counseling work? Of course you need the help of a skilled marriage therapist, but there are several things you can do to help make your marriage counseling a success.
1. Have more goals for yourself than for your partner. Read More
June 1st, 2010 |
Tinnitus is brought on by worry and fear of disapproval.
The thought of spending five hours at his parents’ anniversary party made Roger feel tired and anxious. That’s when the ringing in his ears started. It was barely noticeable while he was getting dressed, but the tinnitus became loud and jarring as he thought of having to endure the pointed questions, and being told what to do and how to do it.
He hated large gatherings which always made him feel on ‘show.’ He could hear the comments his mother would make about him going back to school to get an architecture degree. He rehearsed... Read More
May 18th, 2010 |
An Internal Family Systems Perspective
Lots of people hope for compromise in their relationship...
“I’m a vegetarian and I hope my meat-eating husband can compromise.”
“I like to save – I hope my fun-loving wife will compromise.”
“He wants more sex than I do – I hope we can compromise.”
Compromise is great when it happens – there is an easy flow, and both partners feel happy with the results. Nobody feels like they are losing, like they are being taken advantage of, or that their needs don’t matter. It doesn’t even feel like compromising – it’s just being... Read More
February 16th, 2010 |
Trauma survivors often hear, “Just forget about it. It was in the past. You need to move on.” Unfortunately, this is not accurate for many and until they resolve the past traumatic experiences, they are unable to ‘move on’. When trauma survivors find themselves unable to ‘get past’ the past, then they might consider seeking the help of a licensed therapist. It is not unusual for those with past traumatic experiences to struggle with one or more emotional difficulties, mental disorders, and/or physical health concerns... Read More
October 1st, 2009 |
In my practice I am often visited by clients who have both physical and emotional concerns. Often they have been to numerous medical specialists in hopes of alleviating a “pain” that continues to go undiagnosed and or untreated. They are frustrated, I am excited. Why?? This is my key to where therapy needs to begin. Sometimes we are plagued by a nagging ache, stomach problems, headaches, etc. The bottom line is the physical pain has been either unexplained by medical doctors or minimized as in our heads. The latter... Read More
