“There is more to hear in what is not said.”
― Joyce Rachelle


*Big breath*

I prepared myself to read the Salt Lake Tribune article "A Utah Substitute Told Fifth Graders that Homosexuality is Wrong." In response to the question, "What are you thankful for this y...

Operational definition for sexual shame

“Sexual shame is a visceral feeling of humiliation and disgust toward one’s own body and identity as a sexual being and a belief of being abnormal, inferior and unworthy. This feeling can be internalized but also manifests in inte...

Psychologist Susan Silk and her friend Barry Goldman wrote a piece about a concept they called the “Ring Theory”.  This is something I find helpful when trying to support loved ones. When someone has been through trauma, they will need support. During that time it is i...

In my work with clients often they want to have the goal of forgiving others. I have spent time researching this and want to share some of the things I have learned. Often, I see people rushing to forgiveness before they have given themselves time to be angry, set boun...

Chances are, you know someone who is struggling with infertility. Having family and friends who are supportive can make all the difference.  Each person who goes through this will have different ways they will want this to look like.

Here are a few ideas that family and...

I don’t find it helpful when people say, “stop feeling angry or sad”. Feelings don’t work like that. You can’t just stop feeling what you are feeling that easily.  Feelings aren’t good or bad, they just are. I don’t find it helpful to add guilt to what I am already fee...

John Gottman observed seven specific behaviors that seem to be predictive of successful marriages, which he calls “the seven principles for making marriage work.” This is the title of one of his books which is often recommended for those wanting to improve their marita...

We all have needs.

We all have needs of connection, to belong, and to be understood. 

We can take responsibility for getting our needs met.  Here are some tips:

1. First we need to figure out what our needs are.

2. Letting our loved ones know what our needs and want...

Not everyone deserves to hear your story. Just because someone asks you something about yourself doesn’t mean you need to tell them.

I have loved the work of Brene Brown in regards to vulnerability within the context of boundaries. I think this is really helpful because...