Unexpressed and unresolved grief has a way of reappearing in the form of chronic anger and fits of rage. Many times parents bring children and adolescents into my office hoping that I can help fix their child's anger problem. As their story unfolds, so does the child's history … [Read more...]
The Value of Validation
To validate is to recognize, establish, or illustrate worth. "I get you." "I understand you." "I respect you." "I hear you." "Your opinions matter." "You have worth." We all long to hear these things. We all long to be validated. You can validate another person regardless … [Read more...]
Steps to Reduce Vulnerability to Extreme Emotional Mind
Several years ago, I was working as a therapist in a day treatment facility for substance abusers. HALT was one of the relapse strategies that was taught. HALT is an acronym for the four words hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. When a person struggling with an addiction is in … [Read more...]
14 Fair Fighting Rules
Written by Kristin Barton Cuthriell, M.Ed., MSW, LCSW Counseling couples, I am often amazed at the horrible way many partners speak to one another. They say things to each other that they would not dream of saying to an enemy, let alone the person that they claim to love. … [Read more...]
Relationships: Connecting the Past with the Present
Written by Kristin Barton Cuthriell, M.Ed, MSW, LCSW Be mindful and aware of what is really happening in the present. Painful feelings stemming from past emotional wounds have a way of resurfacing in our present day relationships. Although this concept is nothing new, many … [Read more...]