What role did you play?

What role did you play in your imperfect family? Remember: all families are dysfunctional – it’s a matter of degree. So, you got to be in here somewhere. I flaunt some combination of hero and scapegoat – the ambitious outsider from a southern conservative family....

Becoming Gritty

My parents did many things wrong. (Sorry, mom!) They were the product of their culture and time. I am confident that if they had been of a different era and age, they would have embraced self-reflection, gone to therapy and actually grown-up themselves before having...

Healing from the Top-Down and Bottom-Up

How do we create and sustain change? Top-down and Bottom-Up. That’s how. Let’s say you want to start an exercise program to get fit. You need to join a gym. Hire a trainer. Maybe get a journal or download an app to track your progress. You need to get the right shoes...

Say Doc, How Do I Know When I Am Done?

“So, Doc. How will I know when I am done here?” the frequently asked million-dollar question goes. I feel my body tighten, wondering if this patient is going to be one of “those.” One that wants to fire me before hiring me. One that wants some short-cut, clear path of...