Internalized stigma and shame can have a profound impact on the well-being and self-worth of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Society’s prejudice and misunderstanding often lead to the internalization of negative beliefs and feelings of shame. Exploring the impact of internalized stigma and shame on LGBTQIA+ individuals, I offer some strategies for healing and building inner strength. By […] Read more “Queer Inner Strength: Overcoming Internalized Stigma and Shame”
Queer Inner Strength: Overcoming Internalized Stigma and Shame
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Estimated: 3 minutes to read
Welcome Green House Cohort 5!
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Estimated: 3 minutes to read
Each January, LifeWorks welcomes a cohort of graduate therapists into its Green House training program. These therapists spend 12 months on staff at LifeWorks, work with clients and focus on: Developing cultural competence and knowledge related to LGB, trans and genderqueer, non-monogamy and kink/BDSM Strengthening their identities as therapists and learning how to use their unique strengths in clinical relationships […] Read more “Welcome Green House Cohort 5!”
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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FeaturedEstimated: 3 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”
The Art of Noticing: Exploring Shifts in Attention
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
Theoretically I am a strong believer in carving out creative time. I believe as a practice, it aids in self-reflection, cultivates connection and in turn, empathy. It has the power to remind us why we live. In the last several years though, I have struggled to make time for creative expression and prioritize it as […] Read more “The Art of Noticing: Exploring Shifts in Attention”
8 Ways to Love Yourself thru the Holidays
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Estimated: 1 minute 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”
Becoming the Gateway
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Estimated: 10 minutes to read
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 “Becoming the Gateway”
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: 6 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”
Sailing Into Therapeutic Parenting
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Estimated: 1 minute 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”
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”
Polyphobia: Anti-Polyamorous Prejudice and Discrimination
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
Eli Sheff is considered a leading expert when it comes to polyamory and stigma. Eli is the CEO and Director of Legal Services at the Sheff Consulting Group, a think-tank of experts specializing in diverse subcultures and under-served populations. The following is an article she wrote for Psychology Today about polyphobia and discrimination. Prejudice is making judgements about […] Read more “Polyphobia: Anti-Polyamorous Prejudice and Discrimination”
Misgendering: When You Make a Mistake
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Estimated: 7 minutes to read
Understanding Misgendering Misgendering is the act of attributing the wrong gender to someone. Using the wrong pronoun when talking about someone in the third person is a form of misgendering. The verb misgender can also describe any reference to a person in which they are gendered incorrectly. For example, saying “yes sir” to someone who […] Read more “Misgendering: When You Make a Mistake”
More to Love: Polyamory in the Real World
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Estimated: 8 minutes to read
On May 30, 2017, LifeWorks partner Rami Henrich, LCSW was part of an interview for Chicago Tonight which aired on Chicago’s PBS station WTTW regarding polyamorous relationships. In the on air interview, Rami shares her experience of being in a polyamorous relationship for over 34 years. She is joined in the interview by Caroline Kearns of Chicago Polyamory Connection […] Read more “More to Love: Polyamory in the Real World”
Anam Cara: Soul Lessons From Anxiety & Panic
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Estimated: 7 minutes to read
There is a phrase in Gaelic, anam cara, which means “soul friend.” According to the Anam Cara Therapy Center in California, anam cara is: A teacher, companion or spiritual guide … where consciousness is dulled, distant or blind, its presence grows faint and vanishes. Therefore awareness which brings integration and healing, is one of the […] Read more “Anam Cara: Soul Lessons From Anxiety & Panic”
Refueling: A Guide for Self-Care
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
As a therapist, I focus on self-care a lot because I think it’s a vital life skill that no one really teaches us to do for ourselves. Self-care allows us to have emotional energy to respond thoughtfully to life’s bumps and obstacles instead of reacting without awareness. That reservoir of emotional energy gives us […] Read more “Refueling: A Guide for Self-Care”
Why Do Sex Workers Need Our Support?
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Estimated: 5 minutes to read
by Cindy Trawinski, Psy.D. and Cassandra Damm, LCSW In a previous article, we introduced the topic of sex work, considered its history and politics, and explored some identifying attributes of the diverse population of individuals sometimes referred to as sex workers. In this article, we would like to offer a few guidelines about the many […] Read more “Why Do Sex Workers Need Our Support?”
Your Best Friend Tells You They Are Kinky
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Estimated: 4 minutes to read
So, your best friend tells you they are kinky and/or they practice BDSM (Bondage and Discipline [BD], Dominance and Submission [Ds], Sadism and Masochism [SM]). Whether it is your best friend, a sibling, parent, or child, you may want to be an ally, but simply don’t know what to do or say. Before you go […] Read more “Your Best Friend Tells You They Are Kinky”
Managing Fear After the Election
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Estimated: 2 minutes to read
Managing fear has been difficult for many people in the days following the 2016 US Presidential Election. No matter which candidate you supported, you may find yourself overwhelmed by distressing news reports, tense conversations with loved ones, and your own complicated feelings. LifeWorks is an explicitly inclusive therapy practice that welcomes all people. We know how […] Read more “Managing Fear After the Election”
Pull the Next One Up
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by Marc Kelly Smith When you get to the top of the mountain Pull the next one up. Then there’ll be two of you Roped together at the waist Tired and proud, knowing the mountain, Knowing the human force it took To bring both of you there. And when the second one has finished Taking […] Read more “Pull the Next One Up”