Codependency isn’t just amplified helping. One of the big misconceptions about codependency is that it’s simply being super, duper nice. It’s true that most codependents are kind and generous to a fault. You typically struggle to say “no” and set limits. As a result, people take advantage of your desire to help. But codependency is much more than this. Codependency is a […]
Category Archives: counseling and psychotherapy
What is a Healthy Relationship?
My clients often ask me: “What is a healthy relationship?”. This is a great question because it’s not obvious or instinctual to many, especially if you were abused as a child or you’ve witnessed or experienced abuse in a romantic relationship. If you’ve had a history of abuse or other trauma, it can be hard to know what a healthy relationship […]
11 Ways to Improve your Communication Skills
Communication problems are one of the most common reasons couples and families come to counseling. It’s hard! It can help to remember that healthy communication is a skill and it can be learned. We all learn how to communicate from our families and other early experiences. However, these aren’t always the most respectful and productive ways to communicate. Below are […]
A Therapist’s Prescription for Better Mental Health
New Year. New You? Well, yes and no. You are will always be “you”. You’re not going to completely transform yourself because it’s a new year. That being said, it is a natural time for setting goals and change. Many of us like to think of the process of personal growth as uncovering your true self or becoming more you. […]
How to Create Lasting Change through Therapy
After 20 years as a therapist, I know a few things about how to promote lasting change through therapy. I wrote a post called How to Succeed in Therapy and another one called How to Get the Most Out of Therapy. But there are still a couple things worth emphasizing if you’re serious about changing. I like to set realistic expectations when I […]
Overcoming Analysis Paralysis
Overcoming Analysis Paralysis I get overwhelmed making decisions. We have so many choices in the United States. This is awesome and paralyzing all at the same time. When you get stuck in overthinking decisions, it’s called analysis paralysis. The overwhelm can cause us not to decide at all or to let other people make decisions for us. Neither of these are […]
Is Silicon Valley Stressing You Out?
After 20 years in Silicon Valley, I’m well acquainted with the ups and down of life in the high-tech world. Silicon Valley is a unique place – home to technology giants like Google, Facebook, Adobe, and Apple, a diverse workforce, and housing shortage that can only be described as insane. And stress. Lots of stress. For as long as I can remember, […]
Healing Perinatal Loss
Last week I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Dr. Christina Hibbert, the host of Motherhood on Web Talk Radio about healing perinatal loss. Many of you know, this is a topic close to my heart as I experienced a loss 15 years ago. After several years of infertility, I gave birth to triplets in October 2000. Complications […]