Emotional Support: How to Give It in Times of Distress
Have you ever watched helplessly while someone struggled with fear, anxiety, overwhelm, loss or discouragement? You are not alone in wanting to provide effective emotional support!
compassion
Powerful Listening Can Inspire Confessions and Save Lives
I add; it is about kindness and seeking to understand. My own experience with our daughter Kelly, who spent a great deal of time in jail over an eleven year period, is love draws a circle that takes the other in. One of the best ways to demonstrate that care is to seek to understand with out judgment.
Stop Crying or Let Your Tears Freely Flow?
Researchers, as well as ancient and recent philosophers, honor the act of crying. Never do they suggest you must cry nor stop crying.
Healing from Betrayal: How to Forgive and Trust Again
We have all been betrayed by someone we love. From the darkness, we can move into the light and learn to trust and forgive again. You deserve to heal.
How to Find Accepting and Compassionate Friends
Shame researcher, Brené Brown, laid the ground work of who to avoid when we need to share our story. But what are the signs of a compassionate friend?
Building Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry – Book Summary
When I attended a presentation by leadership trainer and author, Joan McArthur-Blair, the room was packed. The audience members were primarily career counselors. McArthur-Blair is the co-author (along with Jeanie Cockell) of the book, Building Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry: A Leadership Journey through Hope, Despair, and Forgiveness. I was pleased to buy a copy of […]
12 Ways to Create Meaning from Painful Situations
As a therapist, I witness people whose lives have fallen apart or have become unbearable to continue as is. I often hear the simple but dreadfully difficult question to answer, “Why?” People naturally long to create meaning from their emotional pain. Resilience is called upon when we face tough situations. We want to bounce back, […]
How to Prepare for Workplace Mental Illness
Teresa said, “Patricia, I would love to read some of your work on dealing with employees who are controlling, easily agitated and off the wall! It seems like my co-worker wants to get even with me for nothing. She starts yelling even if I dare to identify areas that could easily be improved. What are […]
Do You Care Too Much? Avoid Compassion Fatigue and Burn-out
The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it, is as unrealistic as expecting to walk through water and not get wet. Rachel Naomi Remen As a therapist, as well as, sometimes, family caregiver of those with disabilities, there have been times I needed to be […]
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene’ Brown – Book Summary
Here is a book summary of The Gifts of Imperfection. Yes, another summary of a book by Brene´Brown. She did it again! She opened my eyes and mind to some new ways of being. Her research into vulnerability, shame and enoughness continue to impress me. Her long title, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of […]
Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown – Book Summary
In 2012 the shame researcher, Brene´ Brown published Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. I have watched Brown’s interviews with Oprah, her popular TEDTalks, and insightful animations. Her style is down-home, intelligent, compassionate, and deeply personal. Those who can not tolerate seeing others full […]
20 Tips, and More, to Effectively Care for the Caregiver
Caregiving can be rewarding and exhausting! I know! And I know the importance of caring for the caregiver to avoid burnout. I have done it for pay and for free. Primarily, my caregiving has been, and continues to be, family related. I have had the honor to care for our children, grandchildren, family members living […]
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