I hold a bachelor’s (B.S.) and master’s degree (M.Div.) in addition to a doctoral degree (D.Min. in Pastoral Care and Counseling). I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the states of Illinois and Iowa. I completed a two-year advanced studies program in family therapy. I am a certified drug and alcohol counselor […]
It might be said that we are all addicted to love in that we all need it. We require attachment to survive. We crave social connection, especially romantic connection. We want it, seek it, and feel like a failure without it. When we are in love, we feel an overwhelmingly strong attraction to another person. […]
It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In fact, the eyes do provide lots of information about a person’s emotional state. But research now points to the ears as a source of information about one’s inner world. To be more specific, earwax can reveal stress levels. One study demonstrated that […]
One takeaway from the Trump-Biden presidential election is the polarization of America. In viewing social media, many people voiced surprise, even shock, that so many people were on the opposite side of the divide. How can this be such a close race? Social media has turned into a format to share preferred world views. When […]
As a mental health professional, I am a mandated reporter and have a duty to warn potential victims if I believe that my client may be in imminent danger of harming others. In fact, it is my duty to warn the victim even if it means breaking confidentiality. The danger must be imminent and the […]
There is a poem attributed to author, Bob Perks, which goes like this: “I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I […]
President Trump and presidential challenger, Joseph R. Biden Jr., held a debate on Sept. 29 that was described as a chaotic disaster. The candidates were instructed to stick to the subject of the question, “to encourage deep discussion of the leading issues facing the country.” The debate descended into chaos almost immediately. Voters overwhelmingly called […]
Physical courage is overcoming a fear of death or physical harm. Firefighters, soldiers, and police officers are brave. Moral courage is acting against social behavior such as facing a fear of social ostracism, i.e. confronting a peer group over a racist joke. Psychological courage can be the most intimidating form of courage. It is the […]
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans, and it’s getting worse. From 1999 to 2018, the suicide rate has increased by 35 percent, according to the CDC. People […]
The definition of cringeworthy is something so embarrassing, awkward, or upsetting as to cause one to cringe. Imagine you are having a fine day, going about your business, when you are suddenly hit with a memory, and let out a gasp at the stupidity of the incident. Your body may have an immediate and involuntary […]