practicemanager
Interview with Rasheeda
What were some lessons from 2020?
On Suicidal Ideation and Human Connection- Dr. Nathalie R. Henaine, PsyD
Content warning: Suicidal fantasy and ideation Creating is a core part of how I've made sense of life and my interactions with its intensity. As a child, I scribbled vibrant illustrations and stories about the monsters under my bed. During adolescence, I sang sad...
The Making of a Martyr – Part I Navigating THE Struggle of Motherhood
It’s 5:30 am. The sound of my soft, gentle alarm going off is intermingled with the screams of my almost 4 year old daughter who is telling me she already pooped herself (she’s sick) and would like to finish her BM in the toilet, which, of course, she doesn’t want to...
Brock Turner is Not the Problem
Chapped, rough lips covering my entire mouth. Hungry, wet tongue slamming into the back of my throat. My chest heaving, gasping for air that is hard to find. A cold hand forcing it's way up my shirt. Awkward, hard fingers frantically pulling at my bra to grope at...
THIS is The Way You Should Be Parenting
That sounds ridiculous right?? That there's one way to do something so insanely complicated?? The idea that there actually are right answers?? And yet, we read those kinds of posts and articles all the time and hear it just as frequently. This is the same...but...
Broken Can Be Beautiful
Broken can be beautiful. Does that sound strange to you? Do you believe that it's actually true or that I'm just trying to spin something? Initially, it sounded strange to me too, but it doesn't take more than a minute or two when I really think about what that...
Inside My Childhood War
It was October 16, 1996. I am 15 years old and sitting in an assembly at my high school chatting with my friends when the nurse finds me and tells me that my Mom is here and needs to talk to me. Meredith is dead.I hear my Mom’s words before I ever make it to the...
Here’s Why I Feel Comfortable Sharing My Story With You
Well..."comfortable" is the wrong word. Even simply writing the title of this article makes me acutely UNcomfortable...like I'm violating a very significant law of the Universe. I was trained, as most psychotherapists, that you do not disclose personal...
To Lose Our Shit…Or Not. That is the Question.
I did it!! I finally did it!! I responded the way that I wanted to - parented in a way that I feel good about - when my child was acting like a monster. It's a freakin' Christmas miracle. Let me set this up for you...So I don't know what hell...
You May Have Experienced Trauma (And Don’t Even Know It)
Sounds like a funny thing to say right? I mean, you would know if you experienced trauma. Right?? Not necessarily so.So let's start at the beginning. When I use the word "trauma" lots of things probably come to mind: war, rape, a tornado, a car...
The Most Effective Stress Reduction Technique EVER
Yes, I said it. The most effective stress reduction technique EVER. AND it's natural, easy and free. Don't believe me? Read on.Diaphragmatic breathing. What on earth is that, right?? It’s a fancy term for deep breathing using your...
I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost! (Or Maybe I Am…)
We've been talking a lot about the monster within lately, when you feel like a monster and what happens inside your body and brain when you're feeling that way. And most of what those posts have discussed is the experience of being angry. Which is big....
The Monster Within Part II – Understanding Your Monster
Ok, we can agree on the fact that we all feeling like losing our sh*t every now and then and it's, by definition, can be quite ugly sometimes. I hope we can also agree on the fact that feeling like were losing our shit doesn't make us monsters, it simply makes...
The Monster Within…And How To Deal
*So let me properly set this up for you. My family and I are moving to a new house (and city) in a few weeks which, if you've moved especially, with young children, I don't have to tell you how stressful this is. My daughter went from being a 6 week old who slept...
“Enjoy Every Minute” – Major Parenting Myth Debunked
"Enjoy every minute". "It goes by all too quickly". "You'll want this time back". How many times have you heard it Mama? The sweet smiles and unsolicited advice you get from strangers probably on a daily basis if you have little ones. We...
How Your Past Haunts You In Ways You May Not Even Know
I was standing in the shower, getting ready to settle in for the evening, when I felt something snake down my back, my leg and my ankle. Somewhat alarmed, I looked down to see what could cause that strange sensation and I saw a huge clump of my hair tangled...
The Two Things You Need To Do To Survive Overwhelming Moments
I sit here typing with my newborn sleeping in her Moby strapped to my chest and my toddler playing happily next to me at our kitchen table with his cloud dough and monster trucks. It's quiet (with the exception of some Uptown Funk - who wants to listen to Sesame...
The Struggle To Not Be a Helicopter Parent
Hey folks! Been awhile. What's new? Well for me, I had a baby so sh*t's been a little crazy! But we're slowly adjusting and I'd like to get back to writing when my children cooperate. And right now my 3 year old is napping and my newbie...