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SpanishWelcome Alison Vodnoy Wolf, R-DMT, MFA, MA
We are very happy to introduce Alison Vodnoy Wolf. Alison Joined the Green House in January of this year. We talked to Alison about her decision to join the Green House and what it means for them. How did you learn about the Green House? A mentor of mine, Rae McDaniel, told me about LifeWorks
Read MoreAnchoring Rituals — Staff Favorites
Staff Favorites is a monthly installation for 2019 featuring the mental health and self care picks of our very own LifeWorks Staff. We have been highlighting books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more — all personally endorsed by LifeWorks staff. This month we are talking about anchoring rituals. Anchoring
Read MoreWelcome Andrew Zapke, LCSW
Andrew Zapke, LCSW joined the Green House Cohort 4 in January. We are so pleased to have him on board. We recently interviewed him about GreenHouse and his interests. How did you learn about the Green House? I had been aware of Lifeworks for a while, first through the Poly Support Group, and later, with
Read MoreINSPIRATION : HOW TO RECEIVE AND CULTIVATE IDEAS
When inspired we feel filled with energy and motivated to do something. There’s an urgency to our actions. Our thoughts have a momentum and make the most amazing connections. When I believe in my idea enough, my confidence grows and the question ‘what if?’ catches alight. I am seized by a dream. I feel it’s
Read MoreFueling Up! — Staff Favorites
Staff Favorites is a monthly installation for 2019 featuring the mental health and self-care picks of our very own LifeWorkers. 2019 will highlight books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more personally endorsed by LifeWorks staff. We look forward to sharing our favorites with you! This month, LifeWorkers are sharing
Read MoreWELCOME CRYSTAL ADAMS, LPC NCC
We are so excited about the great work that Cohort 4 of the Green House Training Program is doing this year. They are an ensemble of remarkable individuals with richly varied skills and experiences. Today we would like to introduce you to Crystal Adams, LPC, NCC. How did you learn about the Green House? I was
Read MoreSelf-Care Books — Staff Favorites
This month we are focusing on our favorite self-care books! As staff members at a therapy practice, we’re not exempt from struggle and darkness. These are the books that our staff members have personally found moving and meaningful footholds on their journeys. Please include your own favorites in the comments section! Greenlee Brown: The Collected
Read MoreWelcome Bridgid O’Connell, LSW
How did you learn about the Green House? I discovered the Green House program while researching internship opportunities for my last year of graduate school. I am a recent graduate of the Jane Addams College of Social Work program at the University of Illinois, at Chicago. I received my Masters of Social Work degree, with
Read MoreWelcome Dinah Hudson, MA, NCC
How did you learn about the Green House? A therapist from LifeWorks made quite an impression on me when she recommended the Green House program during a seminar given in my Couples and Families Counseling course. My graduate program did not offer a diverse selection of courses related to cultural competency, clinical skills, and psychotherapeutic
Read MorePLACES TO MOVE YOUR BODY — LIFEWORKS STAFF FAVORITES
The darkness and cold of winter make exercise and being outside extra challenging, which can adversely impact our mental health. So, this month LifeWorks staff is talking about places we like to move our bodies around Chicago during these chilly months! Although we recognize that not all of are favorites are accessible to every body,
Read MoreMental Health Apps: LifeWorks Staff Favorites
Staff Favorites is a monthly installation for 2019 featuring the mental health and self care picks of our very own LifeWorkers. Favorites in 2019 will highlight apps, books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more personally endorsed by LifeWorks staff. Our thanks to Elizabeth Duke for organizing this new installation!
Read More8 Ways to Love Yourself thru the Holidays
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 MoreWelcome Ariel Gaines, Psy.D.
Ariel Gaines, Psy.D joined LifeWorks Psychotherapy Center in August of this year as a Post-doctoral Fellow. We are very glad to have them on our team. Ariel holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. They also earned a master’s degree in the social sciences at The University of Chicago,
Read MoreBecoming the Gateway
LifeWorks therapist, Brandon Haydon, submitted this quote from #virginiarosenberg for our reflection and yours. “Presence is a practice. At times, the work of presence is so deeply uncomfortable. And then there are these moments, these cellular sighs of relief, when we quit resistance. We exit fight/flight/freeze, and simply belong to the time we’re inhabiting. In
Read More“What’s in a Label?” — Being Non-Binary with a History of Trauma
There are reasons for using labels. They can be very useful, in an elemental way. To label something is to identify it and categorize it, which makes it easier to talk about, and therefore easier to share. Labels can promote intimacy and community, and when more and more people agree on the usefulness of a
Read MoreLoving and Gentle Communication in Relationships
Even when I thought I was loving in communicating in my love relationships, I had often been challenged and told by my partners that I was not! I had learned all the tricks and words through my study of psychology and communication, but I was somehow still getting into hurtful arguments and repeated conflicts. It
Read MoreIs Your Partner Guessing?
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 MoreAn Interview With Elisabeth Sheff, Ph.D., CASA, CSE
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 MoreRelationship Reset
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 MoreConstructing a Queer Life: On the Choice to Parent, or Be Child-Free
Many people grow up following a cultural life script: you go to school, get a job, marry your one true love and start a family. Happily Ever After! At least, that’s a common scenario many cultures, based on heteronormativity, have historically supported. But as many of us grow up, we realize that that version of
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