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The Seasons of Trauma: Recognizing When Symptoms Might Flare Up
A woman who has experienced a traumatic event seeks counseling when she finds that symptoms related to the trauma affect her ability to enjoy life and function normally. She meets with ... Read More
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Self-Esteem Means Esteem for Others, Too
You may have heard it said that you can’t truly love another person if you don’t love yourself. I wholeheartedly believe this to be true, and I think it speaks to the “mirror-type” ... Read More
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How to Turn Self-Hatred into Self-Compassion
“I’m such a loser.” “I can’t do anything right.” “I’m ugly.” Too often, people brutally judge and attack themselves. If everyone treated others as poorly as they treat ... Read More
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Selfishness, Guilt, and Separation: When Parents Take Precedence
“You’re so selfish!” I hear this phrase too frequently when working with people who have trouble with separation and individuation. When children hear from their parents that they ... Read More
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When You’re a Minority in a Majority World
I was getting my morning cup of coffee, and while waiting to pay I saw others hand their money to the clerk and leave. When I attempted to do the same, another clerk rudely stated to me ... Read More
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Fetishes and the DSM: When Is a Kink a Mental Health Issue?
is inextricably linked to cultural norms, and the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—psychiatry’s diagnostic bible—makes this readily ... Read More
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Women and Virginity: Preparing for the First Time
Most of my blogs over the years have been written for people who are already sexually active and have experience with pivi (penis-in-vagina intercourse). Today I’m going to address young ... Read More
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Singing the Menopause Blues
Does menopause or a hysterectomy quash or quicken your sex life? This question applies not only to those of us who might face these, but also to the romantic partners who love and live ... Read More
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Is ‘Friending’ Your Ex on Facebook a Good Idea?
An old high school classmate posed the question on his Facebook feed a few days ago: “Should we friend our exes on Facebook or is it equivalent to cheating?” Since couples therapy is ... Read More
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Five Ways Masturbation Could Hurt Your Relationship
If you walked in on your partner masturbating, what do you think you would feel? Most people don’t ask themselves this question until it happens. They may assume that their partner has ... Read More
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The Effects of Parental Involvement on Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
When parental involvement is limited, children typically receive scant mirroring or encouragement. They have no one reflecting back to them that they are worthwhile, admirable, or interesting. ... Read More
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How Advertisements Targeting Women Undermine Body Image
Women face overwhelming pressure to meet an often unrealizable “beauty” ideal. The result is that 80% of women report being unhappy with their appearance, and three-quarters of all ... Read More