As therapists, we recognize our ethical obligations to know and acknowledge the limits of our training and skills. We know that our expertise grows over time with experience and supervision, training, reading, dialogue and further training. These activities contribute to our mastery of specialized areas, methods or skills. But what about cultural competence? How do […] Read more “Cultural Competence and Bias”
Cultural Competence and Bias
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
The Pain is Our Pain
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
The pain is our pain. It is the wound in the world and we are of the world. I know that all moments, across the whole of humanity, are occasions of suffering and joy, beyond my scope. I suppose that when a blow lands so close to heart and home, the perimeter I hold […] Read more “The Pain is Our Pain”
In the Shadow of Disney World
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
ORLANDO SHOOTING JUNE 11, 2016 When I think Orlando, I think of sun filled days, blue skies, parents and grandparents offering up days of fun and excitement, showering their children with the time of their lives at Disney World. But from yesterday on, I will think of Orlando in a different way. I will think […] Read more “In the Shadow of Disney World”
Welcome to the New LifeWorks Office in Chicago’s Central Loop
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new psychotherapy location in Chicago’s downtown Central Loop neighborhood. The office is our third in the area, with the other two situated in Lakeview and Skokie, Illinois. We chose to open a third office to better suit the needs and schedules of the people we serve, […] Read more “Welcome to the New LifeWorks Office in Chicago’s Central Loop”
Building Trust
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Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Julie Diamond, Ph.D. is a colleague and former therapist, who has turned her attention to the issues facing organizations. In the blog below she talks about a human dilemma that is not limited to work life – trust. As you read it, consider where in your life trust is missing and what you might do […] Read more “Building Trust”
A Primer on Growth and Change
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Estimated: 9 minutes to read
What is growth? What kinds of changes do face? How does growth and change occur? How long does it take to change? Trainer, consultant and author, Julie Diamond, Ph.D., offers insights into change that should resonate with therapists and clients alike. The older I get the more I realize that many of the things I found insurmountable […] Read more “A Primer on Growth and Change”
Bad Dreams Have Meaning
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Estimated: 3 minutes to read
In honor of the season, we are looking at things that scare or frighten us and why that is. Our colleague and process worker, David Bedrick, helps us understand how inner critics sometimes appear in bad dreams and how we can make use of the messages they bring. The following article originally appeared in Psychology […] Read more “Bad Dreams Have Meaning”
Communication Challenges: Yes, That Again!!
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Estimated: 8 minutes to read
Have you ever fallen into the pit of communication challenges? Or should I say miscommunication challenges? What an interesting phenomena it can be, if and when you have the detachment to notice you are in the pit and are able to name it as interesting! More often it is experienced as a quagmire, an endless […] Read more “Communication Challenges: Yes, That Again!!”
Winning the Battle with Inner Criticism
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
An inner critic can be thought of as an aspect of ourselves that holds the criticisms, disapproval, injunctions and complaints that we have internalized over time. When our inner critic is active, we get low and feel “less than”. Sometimes the voice of the inner critic is so convincing that we jump to the conclusion […] Read more “Winning the Battle with Inner Criticism”
Becoming a Polyamory Ally: How to Start
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
This blog was inspired by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) blog How to Be a LGBTQ Ally. I am grateful to HRC for their groundbreaking leadership in the fight for the rights of LGBT people in US and around the world. To read the original HRC blog, click http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/how-to-be-an-lgbt-ally For a lot of people, learning […] Read more “Becoming a Polyamory Ally: How to Start”
Power: A User’s Guide
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
We are excited and pleased to announce that our friend and colleague, Julie Diamond, Ph.D., has a new book out — Power: A User’s Guide. Power corrupts. The question is: how? What are the traps of power and how we can avoid falling into them? From bosses to parents, politicians to protesters, power rests in […] Read more “Power: A User’s Guide”
8 Ways to Take Action Against Islamophobia
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Estimated: 1 minute to read
Prejudice, stereotyping, bias—however we understand these tendencies and attitudes, we can learn to identify, confront, wrestle with, accept, and change them within ourselves. Sometimes, however, doing so is possible only with great difficulty. Discrimination takes many forms, including harassment, bullying, hate speech, and scapegoating. Such behaviors put others at risk, cause harm and—at times—may even […] Read more “8 Ways to Take Action Against Islamophobia”
Knowing Yourself is Power
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
“Knowing yourself really well and deeply is the best power you can have.” Julie Diamond, Ph.D. is an executive coach and leadership consultant who helps individuals and organizations create cultures of learning and growth. Julie’s upcoming book, Power: A User’s Guide, is due for publication early next year. Read more “Knowing Yourself is Power”
Returning to Therapy — A Profound Act of Self-care
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
by Cindy Trawinski, Psy.D., Dipl. PW & Rami Henrich, LCSW, Dipl. PW “I can’t believe I’m here… again.” Some people returning to therapy for the second, third, or fifth time often wonder “why do I need to go back to therapy?” “was there something I should have handled the last time around?” “maybe I am […] Read more “Returning to Therapy — A Profound Act of Self-care”
Growth and Decay in Life: What Sustains Us?
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
“Life has always seemed to me like a plant that lives on its rhizome. Its true life is invisible, hidden underground in the rhizome. The part that appears above ground lasts only a single summer. Then it withers away-an ephemeral apparition. When we think of the unending growth and decay of life and civilizations, we […] Read more “Growth and Decay in Life: What Sustains Us?”
Five Steps to Mindfulness Meditation
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
Basic meditation is the practice of doing nothing and being tuned in to your own mind at the same time. At first, it can be frustrating, but research shows meditation reduces stress and increases focus. Mindfulness is an exercise in training the mind to notice thoughts, sensations and emotions, and not get too attached to them […] Read more “Five Steps to Mindfulness Meditation”
Meditation Is Not What You Think: Meditation Practice Tips
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
Often, when we take up meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness practices, we inadvertently create obstacles for ourselves. We fall into assumptions, believing there is a “right way” to meditate. If you are struggling with meditation in any form, here are a few practice tips gathered over time that may help you. 1. Relax When you are working […] Read more “Meditation Is Not What You Think: Meditation Practice Tips”
The Colorful Wisdom of Autumn
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
This post comes from Sarah Evenson of Bridge Between Retreat Center, in Denmark, Wisconsin, just south of Green Bay. It spoke to me of the power of nature to connect us to the earth and move us to recognize something greater than ourselves. The picture above was taken this fall in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area […] Read more “The Colorful Wisdom of Autumn”
Going Down with Depression
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
Process work or process-oriented psychology often takes a paradoxical point of view on disturbance and conflict. In his post below, fellow Process Worker, David Bedrick shares insights on the ups and downs of depression. DEPRESSION The word comes from the latin “depressare”- to press down. Our culture heavily favors being “up” and many of us have […] Read more “Going Down with Depression”
How To Be a LGBT Ally
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This post originally appeared on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) blog on October 5, 2105, in advance of National Coming Out Day. It was written by Hayley Miller, Senior Digital Media Associate. We think it contains valuable information for anyone wanting to become more affirming and supportive to LGBT friends and family members. For a […] Read more “How To Be a LGBT Ally”