Estimated: 5 minutes to read

Returning to Therapy — A Profound Act of Self-care

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”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Five Steps to Mindfulness Meditation

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”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

How To Be a LGBT Ally

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”

Estimated: 1 minute to read

Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his powerful teachings and best selling writings. This quote got such a strong positive response when we posted it on Tumblr, that we wanted to share with you too. People have a hard time letting go […] Read more “Thich Nhat Hanh”

Estimated: 6 minutes to read

Everyone Has Bias

No one is immune from bias, not even us therapists! Everyone has bias. Therapist bias takes many forms, especially with regards to clients’ sexuality, gender, erotic orientation, etc… Bias ranges from misinformed opinions about BDSM to confusing polyamory with infidelity to other subtle perceptions, beliefs and attitudes.  Bias is a part of us all and […] Read more “Everyone Has Bias”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Discovering Optimism

For some scientists, happiness is best defined as “subjective well-being”. In other words, it’s relative to the individual and their experience. From this perspective, happiness is different for each of us.  In the Happiness Advantage, author, Shawn Achor, notes that, “happiness implies a positive mood in the present and a positive outlook on the future.” […] Read more “Discovering Optimism”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

We Are One

Recently, as a way to express his gratitude for deep and vulnerable sharing in a group, a friend of mine spoke these words, in the Lakota language “Mitakuye Oyasin,” meaning “we are all related,” or similarly understood as “we are one.” The effect it had on me was visceral and profound. As I had been […] Read more “We Are One”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Thanksgiving Meditation

The holiday season is a time to reflect on the people, experiences, privileges and events for which we can be thankful.  I discovered this mindfulness meditation in Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening. It reminds me that the whole of existence is a miracle. May it bring you a sense of connection, gratitude and appreciation. […] Read more “Thanksgiving Meditation”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

Am I a Marginalizer?

What do you think of when you hear the word marginalization? People living in poverty, persons of color, those who do not share fully in the privileges some of us are enjoying these days? I would say yes to all of the above, and would include a list that would be broader and more inclusive […] Read more “Am I a Marginalizer?”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Wild Geese

As individuals we often hold ourselves back from our changing nature believing we shouldn’t be who we are becoming.  A passing awareness of the crispness of the air, or the crunch of dry grass, the changing colors of trees along our way give us a chance to recognize that change is natural and happening all […] Read more “Wild Geese”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

My New Companions — Curiosity & Fear

Why should you befriend experiences and things that you are afraid of? Things that unnerve you, disgust you or freak you out?  A week ago, I had a moment when my curiosity overcame my fear and I started to reflect on how curiosity can help us overcome inner as well as outer fears.  Curiosity is […] Read more “My New Companions — Curiosity & Fear”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

The Beginning of the End of Loneliness

Loneliness is a condition that all of us experience at some point in our lives. We often think loneliness is brought on by external situations – a loss of a relationship or marriage, a death of a friend or family member, job loss or career change.  It’s easy to acknowledge feelings of loneliness when one […] Read more “The Beginning of the End of Loneliness”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

Loss and Sacred Connection

I experienced a deep and unexpected sense of connection recently when my childhood friend, Heather, passed away this year.  She was 41 years old and died from breast cancer. I had not seen Heather in over 20 years, but because we live in the age of the internet and Facebook (digital connectedness or virtual connectedness), […] Read more “Loss and Sacred Connection”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Longing for Belonging

On Saturday, March 30, the Chicago Polyamory Support Group met. Into its 4th year, the group has welcomed hundreds of people through its doors. Being an open support group, anyone can come at any time. Each month a topic is selected and each time the discussion flows — both on and off topic as the […] Read more “Longing for Belonging”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

What’s Your Story?

“Story.”  What comes to mind when you hear that word?  Dictionary.com defines the word “story” as:  “a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.” Let’s unpack that definition a bit.  The first thing is “true or fictitious.”  We all have our own […] Read more “What’s Your Story?”

Estimated: 5 minutes to read

Art and Psychotherapy Connected

Have you ever felt stuck in life or in therapy?  If you are an artist, do you ever feel bored by your own work, as though the creative well had dried up?  It seems to me there are many things that are unknown or maybe unknowable about the creative process. We tap into the creative […] Read more “Art and Psychotherapy Connected”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

What’s On Your Playlist?

I have to admit, I am slightly obsessed by music.  I love how music can be used to set a mood, to punctuate an emotion.  My music collection spans all genre’s and many eras.  One of my favorite things is to put my iPod on “Shuffle” and listen to the diversity of music.  Sometimes a […] Read more “What’s On Your Playlist?”