People who have experienced developmental trauma (meaning abuse and neglect as children) will usually say that they are quick to anger when I ask. They will say “Yes,” when I ask them whether they would describe their anger as rage. … [Read more...] about Anger and rage in adults
Controlling and inflexible adults
People who experienced developmental trauma, meaning abuse and neglect as children, frequently become adults that need a high degree of control over their environments. These adults can accurately be described as controlling and inflexible. Rigid is another word that can fit. … [Read more...] about Controlling and inflexible adults
After therapy, life becomes really good
A psychologist recently told me one of his clients was ready to finish therapy. He said she had recovered from the abuse she had endured as a child. He said she was 65-years-old. The psychologist said his client was grieving because she was now fully aware of how much she had missed out on in her … [Read more...] about After therapy, life becomes really good
Burnout: Work smarter, not harder
I have worked with many people in burnout and have observed that they tend to push themselves really hard, sometimes for years, and end up exhausted. Not surprisingly, the quality of their work can suffer over the longer-term. … [Read more...] about Burnout: Work smarter, not harder
You have a better chance of winning the lottery than dying in a plane crash
I can understand why some people are afraid to fly. I personally don’t like turbulence when I’m in an airplane. It’s easy to let my imagination run wild and think that the plane will somehow fall out of the sky. But here’s the thing. Planes don’t crash. Not statistically. … [Read more...] about You have a better chance of winning the lottery than dying in a plane crash
Recovering from burnout
Recovering from burnout takes significant time and commitment. One of the first things I am asked by clients that are in burnout is, “How long it will take to recover?” Based on my experience as a psychologist, my response is that it will take about seven weeks before they will begin to feel like … [Read more...] about Recovering from burnout
The link between stress, muscle tension and chronic headaches
A significant number of the clients I counsel experience muscle tension and neck pain, and can benefit from seeing a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist that I work closely with recently shared that all the clients I refer to him from my practice have the same problem with muscle tension when they … [Read more...] about The link between stress, muscle tension and chronic headaches
Relationships with sociopaths
I will sometimes meet a new client that is struggling to come to terms with the actions of a sociopath. The sociopath may be a member of their family -- a husband or a father, for example. While the sociopaths in the following stories happen to be male, please be aware they can also be female. The … [Read more...] about Relationships with sociopaths
Gifted adults are sensitive to light, sound, texture, and medication dosage
It is normal for gifted adults to be highly sensitive. Gifted adults are often surprised to learn that it is normal for them to be highly sensitive to sounds, texture, the visual environment, and medications, and that they share these characteristics with other gifted adults. They frequently say … [Read more...] about Gifted adults are sensitive to light, sound, texture, and medication dosage
Video: What is giftedness? A discussion
This 15-minute documentary, filmed at a school for gifted children, discusses what giftedness is and what it isn't. Gifted educator, Dr. James Delisle, and other staff members speak directly about the mixed blessing of being gifted. The video is helpful for those struggling with how to describe … [Read more...] about Video: What is giftedness? A discussion