Self Nurturing Simplified

When we experience trauma (and we all do) a piece of ourselves stays behind to remember. A wonderful adaptation that helped us to survive in that moment.  However, that piece, often disconnected from our conscious awareness, is like a puppet master: pulling the strings and causing reactionary behavior. We often feel powerless to these reactionary […]

Relieving Stress

3-Minute Body Scan Meditation to Cultivate Mindfulness A brief mindfulness meditation practice will relax your body and focus your mind.  Along with breathing, it is one of the best tools to manage anxiety and stress.  Here is one way you can learn how: Time required 10-45 minutes, three to six days per week for four […]

Therapeutic Bends

I’ve had the privilege of providing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) over 600 times for clients at Revitalist in the last year.  Over 70 percent of people suffering from treatment resistant depression responded positively to the low dose, slow infusions.  The results are even higher with a counselor.  However, at Revitalist, we noticed that more was […]

Vulnerability is Strength

Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. -Brene Brown In today’s culture, vulnerability is viewed as weakness.  In counseling, vulnerability provides […]

Unconditional Self-Acceptance

“Have patience with all things but first with yourself.  Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being.  You’re a perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist.  And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.  Unconditional self-acceptance is the core of a peaceful mind.” St. Francis de Sales […]

I’m a Joker?

I’ve had people ask my thoughts on Todd Phillips’ movie, Joker.  So I thought I’d share them here. HOW DID I GET HERE? People often agonize in my office over how and why they have come to the place they find themselves.  What happened?  How did I get here?  My answer? You didn’t wake up […]

You Gotta Have Faith

Are you humming the song after reading that title? Let me help by posting the video. …caution…the video is a bit risque for some. Proceed with caution. For those who were already humming the song, enjoy your youth again. George Micheal gets it. Maybe we should think about it in terms of our mental/brain health. […]

Oceans

Today, my family and I remember the passing of my father two years ago.  It’s been a long road of grief, as we watched for years as his body slowly deteriorated from spinal stenosis and eventually glioblastoma.  Anniversaries and seasons are tough, particularly baseball season.  The consummate Houston Astros fan, he passed weeks before they […]