Lofty goals for a new year! In this non-comprehensive series I'll be taking us through decolonizing perspectives on both traditional mental 'disorder' diagnosis, as well as symptoms associated with mental illness and well-being. I'll also address the dangers of pop psychology. Together we'll question: How do we define mental illness vs mental health? What is…Read more Mental Health A-Z
mental health
Love Lessons
Admittedly, we'd had better hikes. Mom sat by me in the snow and dad stood next to us as we watched a flock of birds fly in descending waves across the sky. I couldn't tell them that, like the approaching solstice, my light was fading. All their extra love and care the last few days…Read more Love Lessons
Hunger
How do we gain weight when society demands we stay hungry? As a trained clinical professional, I know the eating disorder I've battled for over twenty years has been both my armor and enemy, the root of which is society's fear-fueled pecking order. I never wanted to stay hungry but was forced to starve myself…Read more Hunger
For Give Us Our Freedom
My devotion this morning was Forgive. In order to forgive myself or others, I don't need to justify or approve behavior that's unwelcome. That's true, but I find it easier to forgive when I understand why we're doing things that are reckless, ridiculous or generally upsetting. Yesterday there was a protest downtown held by a…Read more For Give Us Our Freedom
Tri Harder
Like all nightmares, it began with a broken hearted man and a woman to blame it on. He'd been left to fend for himself by his child's mother. I suppose it's presumable he'd been left to fend for himself long before being abandoned as an adult, saddled with responsibilities no one would be prepared to…Read more Tri Harder
Peace Be with You
In studying the art and lives of artists, I continue to learn about the nature of humanity. We can create the kind of beauty that makes all the cells in our bodies dance with inspired electricity. And sometimes, we can be absolute atrocities, full of rage, hopelessness, righteous indignation, violence, passivity, cruelty. Love is our…Read more Peace Be with You
Nourished
Unplanned adventure. My therapist has been challenging me to expand my definition of what it means to nourish myself at the intersection of ed recovery, pursuing my publishing dreams and living during a pandemic. We aim high. She’s amazing. A huge part of how I got out from where I started was mastering the art…Read more Nourished
Breaking Free
What do Western Capitalism , The Social Contract, Hotel California and our families all have in common? They're dysfunctional prisons. Well technically, one is a song but the good news is, there is a way out. Systemic oppression is alive and well and always has been. It's just become more blatantly obvious since the invention…Read more Breaking Free
BEDLAM: The Hole Truth
"We can't fix something that we can't face."- Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg Bedlam is both a book and full length documentary by psychiatrist turned author and film maker, Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg. The book was released in October of 2019. I found the documentary on YouTube last week. As per usual, Katy Perry's latest music video has…Read more BEDLAM: The Hole Truth