Who Is Therapy For?
The author, a seasoned therapist, argues that therapy is not limited to any single demographic. While many clients now attend voluntarily, mandated participants—such as those under court orders for child reunification, criminal consequences, substance‑abuse programs, or probation—can also derive value. The post challenges the notion that self‑awareness makes therapy unnecessary, emphasizing that even highly self‑aware individuals benefit from a professional sounding board. Ultimately, therapy serves as a flexible container for processing thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns regardless of the client’s background.
The Truth In Our Actions
The post reflects on a line from Elizabeth Strout’s *Oh William!* – “When I don’t know what to do, I look at what I’m doing” – and uses it to explore the gap between stated desires and actual behavior. It argues that...
It Didn’t Happen for a Reason.
The post highlights how well‑intentioned but generic phrases often miss the mark when someone is grieving, job‑loss, or relationship turmoil. It argues that assuming how a person feels leads to unhelpful or even offensive remarks. Instead, the author recommends asking...
The Burden of Responsibility
The post opens with two announcements—a four‑week "Breaking the Family Pattern" small‑group program for people stuck in unhealthy family dynamics, and a public conversation with former Vice President Kamala Harris on April 13 in Greensboro. It then distinguishes forced responsibility...
Between Us: Nedra Glover Tawwab + Esther Perel Live on Substack
In this episode, therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab and relationship expert Esther Perel explore the paradox of dependency in relationships, arguing that healthy dependence is essential while unhealthy codependence harms connection. They discuss how modern, individualistic cultures—especially the United States—encourage hyper‑independence,...
Tell the Whole Story
The post argues that sharing only fragments of our experiences limits the help we can receive from partners, friends, or therapists. It urges readers to embrace uncomfortable truths and to ask themselves what they could have done differently, turning blame...
Boundaries Can’t Rely on People Changing
The post argues that effective boundaries are rooted in personal responsibility rather than expecting others to change. It explains that when relationships involve people who consistently ignore limits, the only viable option is to reinforce the boundary through one’s own...
It Might Be Time to Stop Repeating Yourself
The post explores why people often find themselves repeating the same requests or instructions, highlighting that excessive repetition signals unmet expectations or ignored boundaries. It uses everyday examples—from children’s chores to adult scheduling conflicts—to illustrate how repeated communication can become...
You Belong Here
The author recounts being invited to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 107‑day tour and the surge of imposter syndrome that followed. The piece reframes imposter syndrome as a mix of disbelief, awe, and feeling unprepared rather than pure self‑doubt. It outlines...