14Oct 2025 by Jenny

How to Talk to Someone About Your Feelings

General
How to Say How You Feel to Someone Expressing your feelings can be one of the hardest—and most important—parts of building healthy relationships. Whether it’s telling a friend that something hurt your feelings, letting a partner know you love them, or sharing that you’re struggling, finding the right words can feel intimidating. But learning how to express emotions clearly and respectfully can strengthen your connections and improve your own emotional well-being. 1. Understand What You’re Feeling Before you can share your emotions, take a moment to identify them. Are you sad, angry, anxious, disappointed, or maybe just overwhelmed? Sometimes our first reaction hides what’s really going on underneath. Try journaling, taking a walk, or talking to a trusted person to sort through what’s really bothering you. 2. Choose the Right…
Read More
14Oct 2025 by Jenny

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Tips for Coping Effectively

General
When the Days Get Shorter: Coping with Less Light and Protecting Your Mental HealthAs the days grow shorter and the sun sets earlier, many people notice a shift in their mood and energy. The decrease in daylight can affect our body’s natural rhythms, sometimes leading to increased fatigue, low motivation, or feelings of sadness. This seasonal change can even trigger symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to reduced sunlight.But there are ways to ease the impact and support your mental health during this time of year: Get outside when you can. Even brief exposure to natural light during the day can boost your mood. Stay active. Movement helps your body release endorphins and maintain energy levels. Create light indoors. Use lamps or light therapy boxes to brighten your…
Read More
07Jul 2025 by Jenny

The CAPER Dynamics of Abuse

General
Control, anger, power, entitlement, and revenge (CAPER) are five powerful dynamics that allow someone to be abusive to another. These dynamics, interestingly, can be used against oneself, also. For example, if I make a mistake and embarrass myself, and I could be along or with others, I may say, “how can I be so stupid! You are an idiot!” That is part of me that is turning on myself to shame me and undermine my own integrity. Can I make mistakes? Yes, all the time, every day. Should I be aware of my mistakes? Absolutely. Should I take responsibility for my mistakes? Most assuredly. But there is a way to do that without undermining my own character. I have just used the power of part of my personality to shame…
Read More
22Nov 2017 by Jenny

I am the Tree

General
I just finished reading one of my favorite books, LAB GIRL, by Hope Jahren.  She grew up in Austin, Minnesota and has become a scientist.  Her main focus of research is trees.   And she is filled with metaphors about trees and light. "People are like plants:  they grow toward the light."  Such a lovely metaphor, I think, for our desire as humans to understand ourselves, others, the meaning and source of life. I think it is one of the reasons people come to therapy.  Something along the way in life has brought clouds of doubt, depression, anxiety, any number of life situations that can obscure the path, can obstruct what one felt like the direction one's life was taking. Hope Jahren studies these little seeds that fall from trees…
Read More