By Katie Hrapczynski, Ph.D., LCMFT In my years of being a therapist working with couples, there is one dynamic that seems to rear its ugly head time and time again. It’s called the demand-withdraw cycle. Often one partner plays the “demander” (more colloquially and pessimistically considered the “nag”) and the other partner plays the […]
True Self-Esteem by Leslie Gunderson
As a therapist, I have the exciting – and often challenging – opportunity to work with many adolescent girls and young women. One of the most prevalent themes I’ve noticed in their (and my own) struggles is self-esteem and body image. Our society, not just media, puts such an emphasis on appearance, “beauty”, and being […]
“Thinking in the Gray” – 4 Steps to Becoming Unstuck from Black and White Thoughts By Katie Hrapczynski
Have you ever had thoughts like these? “I’m never going to be successful.” “My boss never respects me.” “My boyfriend never gets how I’m feeling.” “My wife always nags me when I hang out with friends.” Fill in the blank: “________(someone) always _______(negative).” Fill in the blank: “_______(someone) never _______(positive).” When you think someone or […]
A Resolution of Impermanence by Elizabeth Brown
A new year has begun. For some, the start of a new year means creating new goals, habits, or resolutions focusing on things like health, love, family, friendship, or finances. I am not one who creates resolutions for the New Year or has specific goals I want accomplished by a certain date or month. I […]
Why I Dislike New Year’s Resolutions by Leslie Gunderson LCMFT
When I told my husband I didn’t have any New Year’s resolutions, he asked, “don’t you believe in self-improvement?” Of course I do, I’m a therapist, but self-improvement does not just happen over night once a year. I know that for myself and for the clients I have helped. I think the idea of setting […]
5 Ways to Reach Your Resolution by Jennifer Fang-Pan
Happy 2017 everyone! I felt privileged to witness the many personal and interpersonal goals you achieved in 2016 and I’m sure many of you made some resolutions to reach for even more enriching experiences in this new year. Whether you want to: work on being a better partner, spouse, parent, version of yourself; eat, […]