The first Evolution of Psychotherapy conference was in Phoenix, 1985. I was eager to attend and previously had never been to a major conference. I bought some decent luggage from Lands End to help me feel like I belonged at what sounded like a lofty event.
People like Carl Rogers, Carl Whittaker, and James Masterson would be there, sharing their experience and wisdom. To be in the same room with folks of their stature was intimidating and an honor. Read More
Tone of voice affects all of us, perhaps more so to those of us with greater auditory sensitivity. The auditory component of our communication style is tricky because how we hear our voice is not how others hear it. For one thing, it literally sounds different: We hear the sound internally, through tissues and bone. We also know how we feel when we express ourselves and the intention behind the words. Read More
Even though modern brain science has helped us get beyond thinking of ours in mechanical terms, I sometimes refer to our brains as meaning making machines. That’s because it is so automatic when we try to understand, we give some kind of meaning to what we perceive/hear/feel. But giving meaning without enough information risks getting it wrong and that’s when we need a pause button. Read More
Ancient and modern teachings about life and humanity emphasize acceptance as something to (continually) strive for. Acceptance is a broad topic, and here I am talking about self-acceptance, accepting others as they are, and accepting the unexpected because we can’t predict the future. Of course all of these are a part of being present in the moment—something else we strive for. Read More