Find out how narcissistic YOU REALLY ARE. Most people are quick to spot a narcissist, but it’s much more difficult to recognize your own narcissism. However, based on my 20 years of experience as a therapist and psychoanalyst, I can say with confidence that everyone is a little bit narcissistic. But that’s not necessarily a […]
Every year in November, we are supposed to think of all the things we have to be grateful for: family, food, friends, health. But this Thanksgiving, I want you to try something very different: Make a mental list of all the reasons you are not thankful and not in the mood to fake it. Yes, […]
Do you love scaring and being scared? Do you cherish the memories of Halloweens past? Do you collect decorations and costumes all year, waiting for the chance to trick or be tricked? You’re not alone. Many of us can’t resist a good fright. There are three main reasons we crave the scare. The first reason […]
You tear up when you see commercials for abused and neglected animals. You cry with a friend who shared her feelings about a recent breakup. You even feel “touched” when you meet a stranger who hints at being lonely. You are seemingly compassionate and moved when it relates to those outside your inner circle. But […]
THERE IS A POISON IN ALL OF US. Some of us may hardly notice it, but for others, it’s a silent killer. This poison strangles our ability to get help from those who have more; it cripples our connectedness to others; it spoils relationships and friendships. This poison is ENVY — and we all possess […]
When you were younger, you probably visualized a picture of how your life would look in five years. Maybe you fantasized about being married with 2.5 kids. Or maybe you dreamt of an exciting career with lots of international travel. Ultimately, when you fantasized about your future life, you imagined peace, health and happiness. Fast […]
Are you sick and tired of fighting with your partner — but you can’t seem to stop? What if I were to tell you, as an experienced counselor, that you actually enjoy it? You know you shouldn’t, but you can’t seem to help yourself. Somewhere in your unconscious mind, the arguing makes sense to you. […]
It’s officially fall, which means winter is right around the corner. If you’re dreading the cold, you’re not alone. You’ve probably heard of S.A.D. — Seasonal Affective Disorder, aka Winter Depression. That’s when people get depressed or anxious in the cold, short days of winter. But did you know many people get depressed in September […]
Does the sound of someone smacking or popping their gum drive you crazy? Do you want to pull out your hair when you hear loud music upon entering a store or your children calling “mom” over and over again? Are you constantly yelling “turn it down!?” If you get unreasonably irritated by noises and have […]
Can you imagine a life without Facebook, let alone remember a time before it? It’s now a part of our daily routine. We share our experiences, political views, photos and losses — exhibiting ourselves for “our friends.” It doesn’t stop there. “Facebook-stalking” potential dates and exes is commonplace. Why? We want to see what we […]
The unconscious mind is responsible for 80-90 percent of our decision making! We don’t always actively notice it, but it’s the part of our mind that is always assessing the situation we are in and matching it with early relationships and experiences. Have you ever gotten sick right before a holiday dinner, a date, or […]
Imagine a universe where you were free to be you with all of your good, bad and ugly qualities. You are loved in this place exactly as you are. Do you see it? Guess what? You just fantasized. “Fantasy” is usually associated with unicorns or sex (and sometimes both–we don’t judge), but fantasy is simply […]
The old saying goes, “the more that things change, the more they stay the same.” But this applies to more than just the world around us; it also applies to our individual lives and how our choices affect this truism. How is it that at times we can be so convinced that our life is […]
There are many reasons for anxiety or stress in children. Getting stress management help for your child can assist them in understanding and controlling the things that contribute to stress. Here are some examples of why kids experience stress. Economic pressure On a macro level our economy is indirectly making kids more stressed than ever […]
Recently, Stacy Colino wrote Reasons of our Discontent for Bethesda Magazine and explored why residents of Bethesda seem to be asking themselves why they’re not happy? She asked me my thoughts on the question being that I am a psychotherapist working in Bethesda, Md. and I told her “In my work, I encounter many people […]
Recently I wrote an article for the Washingtonian blog, Washington Voices, Over Stimulated Yet Empty: You’re Not Alone where I discussed the effects of smartphone technology and social media on our emotional health which contribute to our feelings of emptiness. This is what I said “Everywhere I go, I see people on their phones. It’s […]
Robin Williams was truly a cast of characters wrapped in one. He made us all laugh (Mork, Mrs. Doubtfire), cry (Good Will Hunting), and transformed the most mundane aspects of life into profound and present moments. Tragically, there was a darker character that he likely worked very hard to keep in the background. Although the […]
As a psychotherapist, I encounter many people who have everything they think they’re looking for but no peace of mind. Their lives look exactly as they feel they should, yet they’re unhappy. Some have all the things that money can buy, but they aren’t content—they can’t shake the overwhelming sense that something is missing. According […]
