A few years ago I was talking with a child therapist who had been in practice for twenty five years, but she didn’t have her own kids until she had been in it for fifteen years. What she said confirmed what I had long expected: “Everything I taught was from the books I was given at school, and … [Read more...]
It’s Hard to Trust When…
I was recently feeling that particular kind of awful when you’ve eaten too much (the typical Thanksgiving trap) and, on top of it, I was stuck in my head. I decided to help my mood by doing the escarpment stairs (I try to follow my own advice since being a hypocrite isn’t on my to-do list). … [Read more...]
Having Mental Illness is Not an Excuse to be a Bad Person
Thirteen years ago I became friends with a guy for which I have the utmost respect. When I first saw him, he was leading the worship team at the front of the church I was visiting because I was thinking of applying to work there as the youth pastor (and yes, I did end up working there). When I … [Read more...]
Men aren’t as dumb as their wives think… sometimes
My underlying fear, that under-the-surface-pops-his-head-up-every-once-in-awhile-to-throw-me-off fear is that I’m stupid. At least I’ve had this fear for the past fourteen years since being with my wife. Before that, I can’t remember if that was as much of a problem. Is that a sign of my … [Read more...]
Do We Have a Right to Know Who Our Parents Are?
Here is the question of the day: Is it better to know the truth even if it’s painful or is it better to live with the mystery looming in the back of our mind? This is the question I walked away with after watching Shazam (don’t worry, no spoilers here). For the record, I found this move … [Read more...]
Delay Living Together as Long as You Can
Please note: There is no judgement on my part for people who live counter to what I’m proposing. And I assume there’ll be some judgement from others to me, but not from you because if you’re reading this you’re clearly a wonderful person who would never do that. One of the biggest mistakes … [Read more...]
Why Someone Will Choose Work Over Their Family?
Hi, my name is Chad, and I am a recovering workaholic: (audience... at least the nice ones) “Hi Chad.” As a workaholic, trying to relax is generally more stressful for me than working; that makes total sense. But I’m a doer. I come from a family of doers, which is fantastic... and terrible... so … [Read more...]
Parenting Tips from Someone who Shouldn’t be Giving Parenting Tips
What’s an easy way to tick off a parent? Tell them how to parent, so... happy Mother’s Day. I’m going to give some parenting advice. After all, I am the parent of a 6 week old, so I clearly know what it takes to be a parent. Sarcasm aside (weird, right?), as a therapist who works with parents I … [Read more...]