It has been about 6 months since the shelter in place order in Illinois was announced. Most therapists I know went remote in March. Therapy offices around the city sit unused and many therapists are working from home. The spring challenged all of us to adjust to new precautions and COVID-driven changes to our lives. […] Read more “Resting into this time of self-care”
Resting into this time of self-care
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Estimated: 3 minutes to read
A Brave and Startling Truth
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
The poem, “A Brave and Startling Truth,” by Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928–May 28, 2014), flew to space on the Orion spacecraft and Angelou dedicated it to “the hope for peace, which lies, sometimes hidden, in every heart.” Published in a commemorative booklet in 1995 and later included in “Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry”. Read more “A Brave and Startling Truth”
Subject COVID-19: A Message from Natalie
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Estimated: 3 minutes to read
We thank our colleague, Natalie A. Hock, LCSW, for her thoughtful synthesis of the current situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for her clients. We thought it was worth sharing more broadly and with her permission are doing so, here. Hi [CLIENT NAME]: I know that the level of worry and fear is high right now […] Read more “Subject COVID-19: A Message from Natalie”
Music that Carries Us
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
Staff Favorites has been a monthly installation of 2019 featuring the mental health and self-care picks of LifeWorks’ staff. Thank you for being on this human journey with us, and for sharing the various experiences, objects, books, music, art and more…. Your contributions have helped cultivate change and offer paths to relief and soothing during […] Read more “Music that Carries Us”
Podcasts & Blogs
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
This month’s Staff Favorites will feature a collection of blogs and podcasts that we follow that have inspired or transformed us in some way. Some of these podcasts are specific to therapy and mental health, while others are simply about being human and living in the world. As always, we look forward to hearing what […] Read more “Podcasts & Blogs”
Visual Art
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
This month Staff Favorites feature the visual art LifeWorks loves. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and many of us have found that sentiment to be true. Often human experience surpasses language and we are left with visualization, tactile sensation, music, or other forms of art. This month we are sharing the […] Read more “Visual Art”
8 Ways to Love Yourself thru the Holidays
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
This is your life and your holiday experience. You get to design it, enjoy savor it, and exercise the power of loving yourself, and the holidays are no different. Try out 8 embodied ways you can love and take good care yourself through the holidays: 1. Align Yourself to Your Desired State of Being What would you […] Read more “8 Ways to Love Yourself thru the Holidays”
Is Your Partner Guessing?
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Estimated: 10 minutes to read
Have you ever noticed that rather than communicate directly, you make your partner guess about what you want? Certain conversations can be difficult to begin. Strong emotions can keep us from getting started. Fear of conflict escalating may hold us back. Unspoken signals can confuse us and make it less safe to proceed. Not trusting […] Read more “Is Your Partner Guessing?”
An Interview With Elisabeth Sheff, Ph.D., CASA, CSE
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Eli Sheff is a leading expert on polyamory and has conducted groundbreaking research on polyamorous families with children. In the past, she has contributed her findings to the LifeWorks blog. This summer, Eli is traveling the country for her Practical NonMonogamy workshop tour, which is bringing her here to Chicago. On Saturday July 7, 2018, […] Read more “An Interview With Elisabeth Sheff, Ph.D., CASA, CSE”
Relationship Reset
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
This article is a guest post from Candice Wu, LCPC. She is an intuitive coach and holistic healing facilitator who helps people through the power of love, self-forgiveness, empowerment and body wisdom. Have you ever felt like you wanted to just reset or reboot the relationship? The Outdated Default Relationship Dynamic Recently, I noticed […] Read more “Relationship Reset”
Infidelity as a Growth Opportunity
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Santiago Delboy is a colleague and friend to LifeWorks who brings insight and thoughtfulness to his work, writing and collaboration. We are pleased to share some of his thougths about infidelity. This post appears in Santiago’s blog, which can be found here. This afternoon, I watched a TED talk by therapist and author Esther Perel about infidelity. I read her book Mating […] Read more “Infidelity as a Growth Opportunity”
Sailing Into Therapeutic Parenting
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Estimated: 10 minutes to read
This article is a guest post from parenting expert Billy Kaplan, LCSW. He is the President and Clinical Director at House Calls Counseling, which develops and promotes healthy family relationships by encouraging the emotional, behavioral and mental health of children, teenagers, adults, couples and families. This post on therapeutic parenting first appeared here. I learned to […] Read more “Sailing Into Therapeutic Parenting”
When Relationships Fall Apart
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Estimated: 9 minutes to read
This article was written by Lisa Blair, M.A. and David Bedrick, J.D., who are both Certified Process Work Diplomats. It first appeared here and is reposted with permission. Every relationship has two handshakes: one above the table and one below. The first handshake is a conscious agreement between the two people, saying “We’re going to support each […] Read more “When Relationships Fall Apart”
Elemental Human Experiences — Getting in Touch
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Feeling divorced from the world or alienated from neighbors who are all around us are common complaints. It’s nothing new. People have lamented the rush of modern life at least since the Industrial Revolution pulled them to factory work. When reliable electric lighting became pervasive we began losing our connection to the natural rhythms of […] Read more “Elemental Human Experiences — Getting in Touch”
Queer, Polyam, Kinky, Single? Alternative Valentine’s Day Ideas
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Estimated: 3 minutes to read
Navigating Valentine’s Day can be tricky, especially if you’re single, or if your relationship falls outside the margins of heteronormative monogamy. As the 14th approaches, you might feel like you can’t escape ads selling jewelry by reinforcing the gender binary or promotions trying to push pricey dinner dates for two. But, even as you feel […] Read more “Queer, Polyam, Kinky, Single? Alternative Valentine’s Day Ideas”
Low Libido Blues: Desire Discrepancy in Intimate Relationship
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Estimated: 1 minute to read
Michelle Herzog is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist based out of Chicago. She is the owner of the Center for Mindful Living, a private practice specializing in relationship and sex therapy. We are delighted to share her post on desire discrepancy and communication. One of the most common sexual issues couples […] Read more “Low Libido Blues: Desire Discrepancy in Intimate Relationship”
Polar Bear Nature
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
This morning, just like every other morning, I was out walking. But this morning it was a frigid 5 degrees, a temperature I long for all year. I know, for some, this is absolutely crazy! But for me, nothing makes me feel more, alive, more vital, one with nature. I absolutely love the feeling of […] Read more “Polar Bear Nature”
Navigating the Relationship Journey
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Santiago Delboy is a colleague and friend to LifeWorks who brings insight and thoughtfulness to his work and collaboration. We are pleased to share some of his writing. This post appears in Santiago Delboy’s blog, which can be found here. Just to state the obvious, relationships are not easy. While we are “wired” to be in relationships and they […] Read more “Navigating the Relationship Journey”
Children in Polyamorous Families, Part 4
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
In this fourth part of the series on children in polyamorous families I offer a sneak peek into my preliminary findings from my ongoing research on poly families with kids. Read more “Children in Polyamorous Families, Part 4”
Loving Bravely – Book Review
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Clients are often interested in ways that they can do their own self-awareness and relationship work outside of their weekly hour of therapy. A great way to do this is by reading books that help you explore your inner experience and the relationships in your life.
With that in mind, I am really excited to share with you all a book that I had the pleasure to help create with it’s author Dr. Alexandra Solomon. The book is Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want. Read more “Loving Bravely – Book Review”