We’ve all heard the phrase, “blaming the victim.” Normally, this expression applies when one party blames another — the actual victim — for something he or she did not cause. Things have become so backwards and upside down in our … Continue reading
I hear it every day: “A good marriage requires hard work and compromise.” Or, “The secret of our relationship is … sacrifice.” Blah, blah. Well, I have a different take on the subject. Life as a couple certainly does involve … Continue reading
I’ve always liked the old proverb, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” I always want to follow it up with something like, “So you’d better be ready for whatever might be down that … Continue reading
I received an anxious email from a reader who is seeking “closure” from his girlfriend who recently dumped him. A vague but popular concept, “closure” means seeking a neat, painless ending along with the cool, detached perspective of time. Unfortunately, … Continue reading
With the proliferation of TV shows centered around the paranormal, even skeptics might wonder if belief in the supernatural serves any purpose. Clay Routledge, Ph.D., researcher on the subject and author of “More Than Mortal” thinks it’s about meaning in … Continue reading
A reader writes that her new HOA president is just plain obnoxious. He barks orders like they’re in boot camp, talks WAY too much, and has taken to sending nasty letters for the slightest infraction (or what he sees as … Continue reading
It’s a rare moment when we don’t experience an emotion. Is it based in fact, or is it just a reaction (right or wrong) to some stimulus around us? When you experience an emotion, it’s important to identify the emotion … Continue reading
Well, it’s that time again. Every year for the past 10 years that I’ve had the pleasure of writing for this newspaper, I receive multiple emails and even phone calls asking me to reprint this article. I sincerely appreciate the … Continue reading
I have an acquaintance who owned successful businesses and employed people his entire life. He is now retired. In order to fill his spare time, he took a job working in a small specialty store. Money was not really a … Continue reading
There are few more controversial subjects than that of addiction; perpetually bogged down in political correctness and “feel-good” labels. But, like it or not, America is an addictive society. My definition of addiction has grown out of more than 30 … Continue reading
People are often surprised when I suggest that one of our goals will be to help them think, i.e., trusting their senses, and then integrating reality into abstract conclusions. Rational thought is necessary to intelligently answer big questions like, “Should … Continue reading
People often ask me if clients sometimes 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 … Continue reading