Caring for loved ones

The holidays can be difficult. It is challenging to care for ourselves but it is also challenging to care for our loved ones who may be hurting. It is difficult to see people we love suffering. Here are a few considerations: The holidays can be stressful, even triggering. Begin by taking care of you. If … Continue reading Caring for loved ones

Responding to Self-Harm

Self-harm is complicated and difficult to understand. If you have not read Understanding Self Harm, I recommend reading it first. This blog is written for those who aim to love hurting people. It is for the individuals who have witnessed the suffering of self-harm in their child, friend, or family member. It is for those … Continue reading Responding to Self-Harm

Compassionate Self-Care

Self-care is a popular topic of conversation in both psychology and self help circles. Self-care means honoring your feelings, needs, and boundaries and includes physical, emotional, and spiritual components of the self. We specifically view self-care as a form of stewardship. Self-care allows you to live according to your value system and purpose in a … Continue reading Compassionate Self-Care

Why can’t we be friends?

Counseling is a unique experience. It is vulnerable, raw, excruciating, and profound. The therapeutic relationship is unique and unlike any other relationship. The therapeutic relationship can be difficult to understand but it is one of most important factors that influences the outcome of therapy. Because the therapeutic relationship is so unique, and perhaps mysterious, it … Continue reading Why can’t we be friends?

Compliance as a survival response

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Survival is complicated and incredible. We are innately wired with a sophisticated stress response system that allows us to survive hard things. To put it simply (although this is an oversimplification) there are 3 primary default responses to threat. First we seek social connection—safe people. If safety is not found … Continue reading Compliance as a survival response