With sufficient support, you can find your way through the toughest of times. When I was in graduate school to become a clinical psychologist, I had the privilege to be mentored by Mary Kay, an amazingly skilled social worker with her MSW (Master of Social Work). <<Details in the stories … [Read more...] about Grief can coexist with other emotions like anger and hurt
Five-year cancer survival rates increase when patients are compliant with their doctors’ directives
Adherence to your treatment plan increases your odds of having a good outcome. Talking about five-year cancer survival rates has been critically important with every cancer patient I have worked with in my private practice as a clinical psychologist. I worked with Marco, a 50-year-old entrepreneur … [Read more...] about Five-year cancer survival rates increase when patients are compliant with their doctors’ directives
Life after cancer treatment: Surviving cancer fundamentally changes who you are
You have to integrate what’s happened to you. When someone finishes their cancer treatment program successfully, their oncologist tells them they are free to go. Your doctors step away and tell you to get on with your life. You’ve been put through the wringer. Your doctors say you are on the other … [Read more...] about Life after cancer treatment: Surviving cancer fundamentally changes who you are
Emotional burnout: Does your relationship drain your energy?
Do you work long hours to avoid going home? I work with professionals in burnout as a psychologist in private practice. People typically think that burnout is caused by carrying a heavy workload, but they seldom stop to think about what drives people to work so hard. I work with clients whose … [Read more...] about Emotional burnout: Does your relationship drain your energy?
Workplace sexual assault: Meet with an employment lawyer
A female employee was raped by a senior executive at her firm. I am a psychologist in private practice. I recently talked to an employment lawyer because I needed to learn how best to support a client. She came forward with a complaint to her boss after a senior executive in Vancouver raped her. … [Read more...] about Workplace sexual assault: Meet with an employment lawyer
Holding her rapist accountable: One woman’s four year fight for justice
After years of persevering, one woman’s assailant received a two-year prison sentence plus a day. I am a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. I received permission from a client I worked with over several years to share her story. Shannon was raped by a member of her friend circle. She … [Read more...] about Holding her rapist accountable: One woman’s four year fight for justice
Sleep Apnea diagnosis? Learn to breathe and sleep better without a CPAP machine
I am a Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice. My clients often share that they have difficulty sleeping during the course of our work together. As I’ve puzzled through how to help them, I have learned a lot about where their difficulties can stem from. It's salient to look for physical … [Read more...] about Sleep Apnea diagnosis? Learn to breathe and sleep better without a CPAP machine
Feeling Burned Out? Tips for Better Workload Management
You have more influence over your workload than you realize. I work with intellectually gifted and highly accomplished clients in my private practice as a psychologist. Many have big jobs and can’t take medical leave to recover from burnout without negatively affecting their careers. High … [Read more...] about Feeling Burned Out? Tips for Better Workload Management
The dilemma of leaving a high-paying job: Trapped by success
Positions that pay extremely high salaries can be impossible to walk away from. I work with clients who earn really big salaries. Sometimes, they want to leave their jobs. The problem is, they make too much money to leave. << Stories told in this post are amalgamations of the stories of a … [Read more...] about The dilemma of leaving a high-paying job: Trapped by success
Physicians misdiagnose burnout as ADHD: How symptom similarities lead to errors
Burnout looks remarkably like ADHD on a self-report symptom checklist. Physicians have misdiagnosed four of my clients with ADHD over the past several years. These individuals have big jobs. They carry a lot of responsibility and work huge hours. They can’t take a break when they get tired, and … [Read more...] about Physicians misdiagnose burnout as ADHD: How symptom similarities lead to errors