Welcome to My Journal

What if working on your trauma didn't work for you? What if you've already done some trauma work and it was not helpful or even harmful? Would you consider it again? Did you feel like you were just re-telling and re-living the trauma? Good trauma work promotes processing and not just digging the mental ruts deeper! Coming at memories from a purely logical stance is likely to re-traumatize you with very little relief. This is because trauma is overwhelming to the nervous system...

If you want to see a change in body language, tell people you are a psychiatrist.   I don't think anybody loves small talk, but that's just what has to be done when you meet someone new.  After the standard hellos and introductions, I launch my (futile) delay and distract tactics.  I make small-talk drivel about the weather/traffic/day of the week, (as if it is going to work this time) but then comes the inevitable question... "What do you do?" Sometimes I am vague in my reply,...

when You have tried everything, can you find the courage to try again? Pain, courage and wisdom chronic pain Maybe you suffer from Migraines, Neuropathy, Injuries or Rheumatological conditions. Maybe you just know the hopelessness of chronic pain. You've tried just about everything, and nothing seems to last. It's exhausting! Every part of your life has been affected, including your mental health. It takes courage to feel hope again. You want to live fully and reclaim life.  You...

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!  Welcome to the year of the Snake!  I love a great metaphor especially when it comes to animal behavior and what we can learn from them.  I've always found snakes in the most unusual places and I've had many opportunities to ponder why they are in such unlikely places at those times. To me, snakes represent shedding our skin (when we have outgrown what has come become too tight and too small and no longer fits us.)  We have to shed our outer layers...