Category: ritual

How to Make a Digital Vision Board

I have been facilitating vision board workshops every January since 2017. I was considering skipping doing them this coming January because, quite frankly, 2020 has been rough for me like it has for so many people. However, I got too many requests that I couldn’t pass on the opportunities to lead these workshops that I …

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Podcast Interview: Creative Therapy Umbrella

I recently had the honor of having an interview on the podcast Creative Therapy Umbrella. The podcast is hosted by music therapist Kate Shannon. It focuses on various types of creative therapies, especially the creative arts therapies and play therapy. During the interview, Kate and I talk about the following: My work in private practice …

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Creative Ways to Practice Deep Breathing: Part 1

Deep breathing is one of the most popular healthy coping skills that gets talked about, and with good reason. Multiple studies show that it has numerous physical and mental health benefits. It decreases pain, reduces blood pressure, increases energy levels, reduces inflammation, improves digestion, increases detoxification by stimulating the lymphatic system, relaxes the body and …

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Using Creative Techniques to Harness the Healing Powers of the Ocean

Last month’s article was inspired by time I have spent walking amongst trees this summer, and this month’s article is inspired by time I spent near the Atlantic Ocean recently. In much the same way that trees often cause me to experience awe and peace, oceans also often cause me to experience these same feelings. …

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The Healing ROLE of Animals

My family lost our beloved cat, Dribbles (pictured above), this month. As is the case with many companion animals it’s hard to pinpoint his exact age due to the nature of his rescue story, but he was with my family for over 20 years. Dribbles was my favorite companion animal, and I will miss him …

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Let Go of the Unwanted, Make Room for the Desired, and Be Thankful for What You Have

While talking with several clients recently, I noticed a theme: people have a tendency to focus on what we have and don’t want (e.g. mental and physical illness, financial stress, conflict in relationships, a stressful job, etc.) and what we don’t have and want (e.g. good mental and physical health, stable finances, healthy relationships, a satisfying …

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5 Creative Ways to Deal with Anxiety and Depression

You already know the common ways to deal with anxiety, depression, and stress… things like deep breathing, meditation, relaxation, taking a shower or bath, listening to music, watching something funny, taking a walk, exercising, etc. But maybe these common tips don’t always work for you, or maybe you are looking to try some new things …

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Drama Therapy 101, Part 5: The Healing Power of Rituals in Drama Therapy

During this holiday season, you have probably engaged in many rituals without even thinking about it. You participated in holiday rituals if you did any of the following: celebrated one or more holidays, decorated your home with holiday objects, ate traditional holiday foods, gathered with family and friends to celebrate holidays, attended religious services, exchanged …

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