For a few weeks now, I’ve been noticing a theme among my clients. This isn’t new; in fact, it’s often true that there is a common issue among many clients, be it general or even specific. But this theme is very specific, and it’s not just limited to clients – I’ve been hearing it from […]
A Therapist’s Heart
Last night after I turned off my bedside light, a client popped into my mind. It was someone I hadn’t heard from in a while, and I clearly remembered their struggles and our connection in the therapy room. I wondered how they were doing now, and so impulsively I grabbed my phone and typed out […]
Getting The Most Bang For Your Therapy Buck
by April R. McDowell, Ph.D., LGMFT Deciding to start therapy, whether it’s individual, couple, or family therapy, is often a big decision! Many factors are taken into consideration before taking this step, not the least of which is cost. Even though many people realize its value and the significant investment that it represents for themselves […]
Parenting Tips: How to Navigate Parenting an Adolescent Girl
As a parent, you may be wondering how you can help you fragile adolescent daughter to navigate the extremely rough waters of adolescence. You may be the type of parent who feels their child’s pain so intently that you wish you could go up to the school and give those mean girls a piece of […]
Growing Up – Enough Already
Today the girls got on the bus to go to school for the first time. It’s not the first day of school, but it’s the first bus day of school. Before the heavy doors swung closed, I caught a split second glimpse of them settling into those tall seats I remember well. I don’t know […]
Top 5 Things to Consider BEFORE You Begin Couples Therapy!
People often contact me eager and ready to begin couples therapy in order to change their relationship for the better! And even over the phone or through email, I can hear that many of these people are truly excited about beginning therapy. Sometimes it’s a couple in the early stages of their relationship with no […]
Could You Have An Emotional Sunburn?
Here’s How To Tell – And What You Need For Emotional SPF Yes, it’s summer – time for beaches and bathing suits. Most people love the summer; at best, I tolerate it. It’s not just the heat (though I do loathe the heat). It’s the sun. You see, I am one of the palest people you will […]
A Cheat Sheet for Men: What To Do If You Want Sex More Than She Does
You’re reading this because you’re fed up, and need some ideas for how to get more physical intimacy into your relationship. This leaves you, the man, frustrated – not just physically, but emotionally as well; you feel far away from her, and unloved. If you’re willing to read further, I have some ideas you can […]
Love, Age 6
This morning one of my six year-old daughters confided in me that she is having a problem at school. When I asked her about it, she said that one of her friends, Sam, isn’t talking to her anymore. In fact, he got in trouble yesterday because he put his fingers in his ears and stuck […]
Pain as a Gift?
It’s about midnight, and I can’t sleep because I’m thinking about pain. Today a person I know poured out her pain to me, and it was raw and real and I could feel it, see it. In that moment I felt like she invited me into it, and I accepted, and it hurt. I feel […]