Have you ever bitten your nails or cuticles when you were stressed? Or found yourself pulling on your hair while reading a book or watching TV? For many people, these behaviors come and go. But for others, they persist and are hard to control, often evolving into ongoing repetitive behaviors that are hard to control and can be emotionally distressing and physically harmful. Chrissy was a teenager who came to see me because she was pulling out her hair and her eyebrows. She had a bald … [Read more...]
When Bad Habits Aren’t Easy to Fix: Understanding Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)
May 6, 2026 By
Neuroplasticity: How Your Brain Can Change and Why It Matters
March 24, 2026 By
Scientists used to think the brain could not be changed after childhood but now we know that is not true. The brain is constantly changing and that ability to change is called Neuroplasticity. Every thought, memory, movement, behavior or emotion is supported by networks of neurons communicating with one another. When you repeat an experience - whether good or bad - those connections strengthen. This is how habits form and it is also how you can change habits, with practice. For … [Read more...]
Warning Signs That Your Marriage May Be in Trouble
February 25, 2026 By
Every marriage has its ups and downs. Times when communication falters and you feel distant from your partner. It is easy to ignore these warning signs and hope they go away. But what if they don’t? The emotional connections that hold people together are key to a good relationship and admitting problems. While hard, it is the first step toward rebuilding your love. Consider the 18-year marriage of Georgia and Sam. They have raised three children, Sam is successful in his career and … [Read more...]
Understanding the Difference Between Worrying and Problem Solving
January 28, 2026 By
For all of my anxious readers out there, I thought this chart might help you understand how worrying functions and does not help us versus how problem-solving not only has immediate positive effects but can also have longer-term benefits. Worrying is problem-centered with your thinking zeroed-in on what went wrong rather than on a solution. When you begin to be problem-solving focused, you are thinking about those things over which you have some control. Look at the differences in the chart … [Read more...]
Is there such a thing as a Good Divorce?
December 2, 2025 By
For many of us we think of negative words when we think about divorce – either our own or those of our friends. Words like conflict, pain, heartbreak, sadness and loss. Many find that a divorce is the end of a dream for the future, one where we see ourselves growing old with our spouse, surrounded by grown children. Today, however, not all divorces have to be horrible and destructive. A larger than ever number of couples are discovering that it is possible to enter the divorce process … [Read more...]