3 Ways ‘Ghosting’ Undermines Your Emotional Health
Unfortunately, the term “ghosting” continues to gain popularity, particularly on social media platforms and dating apps. You know the routine: you participate in a virtual conversation, it seems to be going well, and suddenly—poof!—the other person goes silent, disappearing into cyberspace and leaving you wondering: “What happened?” Ghosting can happen in established relationships as well. […]
How to Survive Toxic Relationships at the Office
Why do some office relationships deteriorate into high school histrionics, complete with backstabbers, gossipers, seducers, and drama queens? Is there a way to thrive at the office when relationships turn toxic? Group dynamics at the office As a group therapist, I’ve spent a lifetime studying the dynamics that emerge in groups. I’ve witnessed people who […]
Are You Setting Healthy Emotional Boundaries?
What does “setting healthy emotional boundaries” mean? No parent sets out to sabotage their child’s development. But when a parent fails to provide healthy emotional boundaries, they unwittingly cause lasting damage to their children’s ability to trust others and embrace intimacy. Separation, individuation As children mature, they naturally seek independence. From the moment they learn […]
How Your Unwanted Feelings Are Hurting You
Have you ever heard someone yell, “I’m not angry?” If you have, then you’ve witnessed an unwanted feeling in action. Disowned feelings are those prickly emotions that you attempt to block out of awareness. You tell yourself you’re not feeling them and give them the cold shoulder. Unfortunately, ignoring unwanted feelings comes at a high […]
Healing Hurt That Won’t Go Away
You wake up with a familiar ache in your heart. Sadly, you can’t remember when it wasn’t there. Sometimes healing hurt seems to go on forever. You’ve done everything you can to help yourself. You started weekly therapy; began journaling, exercising, and watching your diet; and self-help books pile up on your nightstand. And yet, […]
Why Are You Always Battling Yourself?
Battling yourself is a natural process that leads to a stronger sense of identity. External obstacles are dramatic, the source of great theater. When you fight against something in your environment that’s causing you suffering, you have a clear target. You can see what’s standing in your way: financial hardship, a health challenge, a problematic relationship, […]
5 Things Parents Do to Enrage Teenagers
Plus three tools for parents and teenagers that will never fail. Yes, teenagers are moody. (See The Negative Voices Inside Your Teenager’s Head) But before you label your kid with anger issues, ask yourself this question: Could I be the cause of my kid’s angry outbursts? So often in my psychotherapy office, I witness well-intentioned, […]