Symptoms of emotional and psychological trauma Following a traumatic event, or repeated trauma, people react in different ways, experiencing a wide range of physical and emotional reactions. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to think, feel, or respond to trauma, so don’t judge your own reactions or those of other people. Your responses are NORMAL reactions to ABNORMAL events. Emotional and psychological symptoms of trauma: Shock, denial, or...
Nursing, Co-Sleeping and Baby Wearing OH MY… I’m Exhausted!
I have long believed, and often tell the couples that I work with, that infants are amazingly well organized and sensible creatures. They tell us everything we need to know, IF only we listen. The problem is, we rarely listen. We are busy reading books, watching videos, and asking professionals how to be better parents, without getting to the business of parenting. As a parenting and relationship expert what I see in my practice and with my...
The Most Important Legacy of Joe Paterno
Sometimes the world moves in mysterious yet tragic and incredible ways. The story out of Penn State is an example. My wish as a Clinical Psychologist and an advocate for victims of sexual abuse is that Joe Paterno recognizes the unique and powerful moment in time that has been thrust upon him right here, right now. Joe Paterno must realize he has been given an opportunity to make real change around the issue of child sexual abuse. With his...
The Million Teenage Mom March!
I know one day my precious little girl Tova, who was in a car seat not that long ago, will come to me to say that she is going to or already has had sex. And when that day comes, I expect my husband and I will laugh and cry, feeling sad for the baby that has grown up in front of our eyes and happy that we have created a home in which she feels comfortable talking to us. I imagine the conversation about sexual safety that I will have with both...
For the Sake of our Children…
Once again, what happens in politics deeply effects our families and children. You can say that the actions of Phillip Hinkle was shameful, was immoral, was scandalous; I say that we need to take a deeper look at ourselves. A reaction formation is a defense wherein anxiety about a feature of self is so intense that the person acts out an exaggerated response in the opposite direction. In the recent example of representative Phillip Hinkle from...
Cup of Tears
My therapist kept asking me “So when are you going to deal with your dad’s death?” He is a father of similar age to mine and with grey hair and glasses that could have even been worn by my dad. Annoyed I said, “Sheldon, I’m not ready. It has only been a month ok!” I am still numb. I don’t want to look at pictures of my father. I think because I am afraid of what I will feel and at times even more afraid of what I won’t feel. When his face comes...