Tag: vulnerable

Recently, I returned from an amazing honeymoon voyage to the Virgin Islands. As our ship docked, we were in breathtaking awe of the pristine clear blue waters and lush tropical hillsides. We were greeted by locals dressed in colorful costumes representing their indigenous culture and dancing to Caribbean music. Quaint shops lined the historic avenues and street vendors displayed their wares with cheerful enthusiasm. One could not help but be taken away on a warm breeze of excitement. Taxi drivers lined the avenues willing to take you on tours of their treasured island for this is the home of THE “Treasure Island” boasting the resting place of much famous pirate booty, ship wrecks, water wonders with many colorful species of coral (who knew “fire coral” is a thing); animals, military forts, historic landmarks, and much tropical horticulture.

Joining other eager tourists, we commandeered a taxi bound for the other side of the is ...

I recently read a blog written by a fellow counselor called “Dating your Therapist”. This title caught my attention and I was intrigued about what it meant as the boundaries between client and therapist are strictly professional and should never be blurred or broken. The blog went on to suggest that looking for a therapist that is a good fit is appropriate and good. As I read the blog, I realized I agree with the sentiment. Sometimes, to get the best possible outcome it may mean trying several therapists. Therapists each have their own philosophy of counseling, temperament, experiences, and training. My goal is to do my best to connect with each client and help them achieve their goals. Sometimes this may mean helping a client or potential client find a counselor who can meet their needs more effectively than I can. This is difficult to explain, I can only describe it as a feeling of connection and rapport. I went to a counselor many years ago. After ...

This blog post is brought to you by the 2004 Anna Nalick single, “Just Breathe,” made especially famous by a fantastic episode of Grey’s Anatomy involving Meredith’s premonitions, a live bomb inside a patient, and Kyle Chandler…

Have you all heard this song? Check it out:  Just Breathe This is a song about darkness, resiliency, and one of the most helpful and versatile coping skills we have — deep breathing.  The song tells the stories of three individuals who are struggling in different ways: first, a friend who is deeply unhappy in a relationship; second, a man who is trapped in the throes of addiction and substance abuse; third, the songwriter who is feeling anxious and vulnerable at the thought of sharing what she’s created.  Three very different stories, one refrain: “Breathe, just breathe.”

As a counselor, I talk about breathing with almost ev ...