A Tool of Recovery: (BA)HALT

I appreciate the practicality of the tools used by 12 step-groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Sex Addicts Anonymous. The tools help in establishing consistent sobriety, which is the basic foundation upon which all subsequent growth depends.  How important are...

Home for the Holidays? Practicing New Skills in an Old Environment

Heading home for the holidays can conjure the warm fuzzies of nostalgia and anxiety of old patterns or family conflict. Whether heading home from college, returning to your childhood home with your own family in tow, or hosting family yourself, spending time...

Digital Health for Families

A recent study by Common Sense Media surveyed the attitudes, concerns, and behaviors of parents’ media use. Many parents express concern about their children’s use of media, in how it affects their sleep, effects of social media, too much time online, etc....

 Mid-life: Crisis … or Opportunity?

A few years ago, my grandfather suffered a massive heart attack that would eventually take his life.  Standing by his hospital bed, my family and I felt powerless and fearful.  When the heart rate monitor finally registered a flat line, a pang of sadness...

Boundary Myths

  Many people aren’t taught what boundaries are or how to properly set them. Just like any new skill, learning to set boundaries can feel clumsy and awkward at first. As you learn how to set boundaries, you may run into some common myths:1. Setting...