Grief Never Ends: It Evolves

We all experience loss in our lives.  Someone close to us eventually dies.  Is there a way of preparing for the grief that’s to come?  Probably not.  We have been taught that there are clear and structured steps that occur during the grief process.  However this supposed process doesn’t have data to support its validity....

Steps for Healing the Fear-Rage-Abandonment Cycle Part Four

You met Jeff and have followed his powerful emotional journey in Part One, Two and Three in this series.   Hi this is Jeff and I want to share what I have learned about healing the fear-rage-despair-abandonment cycle.   First of all you have to admit to yourself that you have a problem. This is...

Moving Away from Despair-Rage:  Overcoming Abandonment- Part Three

You were introduced to Jeff’s facing his rage in Part One of this series and observed his introduction to feeling abandoned in Part Two.   The issue of abandonment moves forward here.   Hi this is Jeff here and I want to share the continual evolution of my emotional world.   The fear of abandonment lives...

Moving Away from Despair, Rage, Hopelessness and Flashing on those you Love

My name is Jeff and I am thirty-seven years old. I work as a high-school counselor in an economically depressed area.  I have been married to Julia for almost ten years and we have no children yet.   My job can be rewarding during those rare moments when I can actually help students find their...

When is it Time to Put Yourself First Part Two

You met Jerry and Loraine in the first part of this story.  Part one ended with Jerry leaving Loraine in the coffee shop.  He told her that he could not continue a friendship with her while she was drinking and doing drugs.  He felt he could not expend any more energy on his friend who...

When is it Time to Put Yourself First?

Hi, my name is Jerry and I am a thirty eight year old man who is divorced. I have two elementary school children.  I have been friends with Loraine who is thirty-five for about five years.  She is also divorced and has a couple of kids as well.  I actually met her in a group...

Survivor Guilt:  Am I supposed to still be here?

I was running my usual five miles while listening to Bruce Springsteen live. I was trying to figure out why I was feeling despondent and highly agitated.  Just observing how selfish people are pushed me over the edge. A car almost ran me over in the cross walk and there was no apology, just me...

Teenage Angst and Suicide: Don’t Blame Parents

There have been nine teenage suicides from Gunn high school in Palo Alto, California since 2009. Teenage suicide happens nationwide. Each year two million adolescents attempt suicide and two thousand are successful in ending their lives. We all have been searching for answers to why these kids killed themselves, and we are seeking ways to...

Let the Tears Flow:  Crying is the Ultimate Healer

This article was originally published in MentalHelp.net https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/let-the-tears-flow-crying-is-the-ultimate-healer/ Long ago I came to believe that grieving is impossible unless you can experience your own pain and if you can’t feel your own pain, it is almost impossible to feel anyone else’s.   You can walk through life in a state of numbness missing the excitement and...