In September 2016, Rachel Denhollander was the first woman to make a public allegation of sexual assault against former USA Gymnastics (USA Gymnastics) and Michigan State University (MSU) team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar was accused of sexually abusing more than 140 children and young women. He was sentenced to 40-175 years in prison on seven […]
As a marriage counselor, I’m asked if couples are really helped by therapy. The truth in my practice is that I don’t know. I have not performed outcome studies. My perception of the outcome is skewed because couples who seek my help are motivated. Couples who have predetermined they want a divorce don’t often present […]
I have to admit that I look forward to the fairy tale wedding of Prince Harry and American actor Meghan Markle. I remember watching the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Their marriage was the “wedding of the century.” It was watched by a global TV audience of 750 […]
The Dubuque, IA Telegraph Herald recently featured a news article by Alicia Yager entitled “Law Enforcement Divided on Overdose Intervention.” In it, she references Richard Jones’, the sheriff of opioid-ravaged Butler County in Ohio, refusing to equip his deputies with Narcan. He believes requiring deputies to administer Narcan puts them in danger and the cost […]
Papotia Reginald Wright, of Brooklyn, New York, said that he was proud of his 25 years in the Army. He served as a Special Forces Green Beret. He told stories of his military days including one where a person cut out his kidney. He was living with one kidney. When in uniform he was an […]
Six women have filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, his brother, and board members of Miramax and the Weinstein Company for participating in a conspiracy to conceal Weinstein’s alleged sexual assaults and incessant harassment. In a statement, the women are quoted as saying “Soon after the Weinstein story broke, the world learned that individuals, companies […]
Its holiday time again. It is often a family time filled with love, fun and laughter. Images of Thanksgiving include a large dinner table seated with married couples, grandparents and grandchildren. Images of Christmas morning include Mom, Dad and their biological children opening gifts. However, most households don’t look like the “traditional” families of old […]
Roy Moore is running for the Alabama Senate and some politicians are encouraging him to drop out of the race in the face of sexual misconduct allegations. It is said that he had a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s, and pursued romantic relationships with three other teenagers. A […]
More than 140 Americans die daily from an opioid overdose. President Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. However, a public health emergency is not the same as a national emergency. A public health emergency, unlike a national emergency, does not free up additional funding. Instead it relies on existing funding to be […]
I’m a psychotherapist and an addiction counselor. I’m frequently asked whether change is possible. The short answer is yes, but sustaining change is the hard part. The rate of relapses among people who set goals is high. Perpetrators of domestic violence are reported to be violence free up to three years after treatment. Figures vary […]