Adolescence

I Refuse to Participate in this Nonsense

“Rat-a-tat tat, rat-a-tat tat, rat-a-tat tat,” An ancient cassette slowly spun in a tape player, miraculously still functioning. “Rat-tat...

Looking Back, Finding Meaning

I didn’t plan to visit my old house. Odd circumstances brought me there. Our friend’s mother died, and her funeral took us surprisingly...

Resilience Gained in Dealing with Rejection

Guest blog by Kate Olson, CHt I had the pleasure of meeting Kate Olsen when she interviewed me for her radio show, Soul Fire Wisdom. If...

The Teen You Used to Be

Do you remember being a teenager? Do you remember what you were like, and the things that you did? Your memories might help you be a...

34 Reasons Why your Mother’s Day might Suck: A Psychologist’s List

Having been a psychologist for 3 decades, I have heard plenty of angst concerning Mother’s Day. Some of the stories were tragic. Some...

Graduating and Gone: A Love Story for my Girl

My oldest daughter, Julia, graduated from college this weekend. My work as her mother is not fully finished, but surely this graduation...

What To Do When You are Wrong

I messed up this week. I said something stupid to my daughter. At the time, I thought I had to help her by giving her my opinion, even...

"Burn Baby Burn!"

I walked alone down the high school hallway, heading toward my locker. I was a new kid, with no friends. I wore an Indian-print...