As a psychotherapist, I work with individuals and couples every day to help them create change in their lives. Similar to a hiring a personal trainer, people come to me to do what they have difficulty doing on their own. What I help people with isn’t always new, e.g. “We’ve been talking about my emotionally distant father for months now!” but I do provide another perspective: listen intently and empathically, and help my clients feel accountable to themselves. Again, just like a trainer.

According to Brené Brown, a shame researcher who has spent the last sixteen years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, there is something called a vulnerability paradox: “It’s the first thing I look for in you and the last thing I want you to see in me.” I had an experience last week that proved…

You know that game you play when you’re eating (or reading) fortune cookies where you’re supposed to add “IN BED,” to the end of the fortune? For example, “You are someone whose optimism is contagious…IN BED” or “Something exceptional is waiting for you…IN BED.” Well, I’d like to suggest using a similar phrase during times…