I have a friend who, when confronted with something he did wrong, often ends his explanation with, “Well, it’s not an excuse, but it IS a reason.” Though it always gets a chuckle, the expression doesn’t really resolve anything. A … Continue reading
A few months ago, I responded to a reader about her compulsion to raise “the perfect child.” Many of your responses centered on the various implications of “Nobody’s perfect”. The most obvious (and truthful) interpretation of that is that we … Continue reading
Clients with relationship problems sometimes bring up the problem of interrupting. It’s no secret that there are few things more annoying than a person who interrupts. Though it might seem rude, there are different kinds of interruptions, some of which, … Continue reading
Interestingly, in spite of our current health scare and how some people are reacting, the topics of conversation in my office haven’t changed all that much. We’re still exploring day-to-day ways to make it through life when it’s easy to … Continue reading
The summer season at the beach is all about up close & personal time together. With families, this can be good – or not so good – especially when it involves restless teenagers. My family therapy experience has revealed six … Continue reading
A reader emails that her father always cautioned her that “the grass is always greener,” i.e., that she should keep searching for something better than what she already has. She asks me if an endless quest for that “something better” … Continue reading
People sometimes ask me if clients lie to their therapists. Though it seems kind of self-defeating — considering they’re paying for the sessions — I’ll admit that I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out when somebody’s not telling the truth. … Continue reading
Rarely does a day go by that people don’t talk to me about their jobs. The best motivation for work is happiness and fulfillment, and though that fulfillment might not happen all at once, the activity should be productive, and … Continue reading
Marriage and commitment are often at the top of the list when I talk to people in my office. And for good reason! Research shows that in the U.S., about half of first marriages fail, as do two-thirds of second … Continue reading
People are often surprised when I suggest that one of our therapeutic goals will be to help them think, i.e., trusting their senses, and integrating reality into abstract conclusions. Rational thought is necessary to intelligently answer big questions like, “Should … Continue reading
A couple of years ago I came across a fascinating case involving a friend who had been morbidly overweight for years. She contracted a bad sinus infection that left her without the ability to smell. The sense of smell is … Continue reading
I seem to be getting more and more emails from readers and site visitors about this subject. And sadly, it never gets old. “I’m the primary caretaker for my aging mother who is suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s. Unlike death, where … Continue reading