You might ask yourself “why would I want to read a book about adversity?” Perhaps, for me, it was because I grew up with a lot of it. My father died when I was seven, and my first stepfather passed away during my sophomore year in college. So the subtitle of Norman Rosenthal’s book, The Unexpected Benefits of Life’s Difficulties, Setbacks, and Imperfections intrigued me enough to crack the cover. Adversity in life is unavoidable, so I wondered what Dr. Rosenthal could teach me that life’s … [Read more...]
Self-Examination: Key To Life After Divorce
October 1, 2013 By
For many, after living as a pair for so long, it’s important to recognize that you are a unique and valuable person on your own. I often tell my clients, “You are a whole person by yourself and not half of anything.” You may have some work to do to get back to recognizing that and the point when you begin to enjoy living life post-divorce may depend on where you are in the timeline of recovery. You may have children to care for, or you may not. You may be under 40, exhilarated and ready to … [Read more...]
Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
June 26, 2013 By
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day is Thursday, June 27th. Millions of children and adults across the United States suffer from the effects of PTSD, and evidence suggests that over seven million adults suffer from the disorder each year. As these numbers continue to rise, both government and mental health professionals pursue ways to control the growing epidemic. Many people associate PTSD with a soldier who has … [Read more...]
Verbal Abuse in a Relationship: Know the Signs
May 15, 2013 By
The proverb “Home is where the heart is” conjures up warm feelings of good times with family, as our close relationships provide us with the encouragement and comfort needed to live fulfilled, happy lives. Life can be challenging with its financial, emotional and social stresses, and the people who surround and support us at home help us to feel relaxed and comfortable. However, for some, the home is not a sanctuary of love and acceptance; instead, it can be a stressful place where conflict is … [Read more...]
The Mother’s Day Gift That Will Keep On Giving
May 9, 2013 By
Recently, my younger brother found out that my mother, who had been a concert pianist, had really wanted to be a lawyer. He was stunned by that revelation. It got me thinking about how well we know any of our parents. With all of the advertising for Mother’s Day, and all of the possible gifts and flowers that you can buy, I wondered if there was a more appropriate gift – really getting to know your mom, not just as a mother, but as a person in her own right. What questions could you ask that … [Read more...]