First things first, let's clarify this idea of being "sensitive." In some cultures and sub-cultures (e.g. families, communities, schools) there may have been messages that being "sensitive" means you "can't take a joke", or you get your feelings hurt "too easily" and that's said to the person with a judgemental tone. Being a highly sensitive person, is actually not a...[ read more ]

One of the things most of us are taught as children is to never judge others. “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” And yet, despite our best efforts, many of us fall into the trap over and over again. Why do we do it? Well, first of all, as I often say, nothing is all bad, but let's take...[ read more ]

When talking about depression, a lot of people forget that depression is an illness that requires proper attention and treatment. If you’re depressed, it can be incredibly frustrating to hear things like “Just get over it”, “You’re being really dramatic”, “You have to be strong”, “Learn to deal with it”, “Happiness is a choice”. You might start to internalize these...[ read more ]

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but here it is again: Relationships are tough and they require work. You and your partner have to be ready to put in the effort (that means, time, energy and emotional risk). One way to do this is through frequent evaluation of your relationship. Here is a list of some important questions to...[ read more ]

Do you find you accept responsibility for a loved one’s emotions or actions? Are you constantly trying to please others? Do you neglect your own needs and have difficulty setting realistic personal boundaries? Do you often feel resentful yet have difficulty stepping away from a dysfunctional relationship? These are some of the symptoms of codependency. Codependent people look for external...[ read more ]

As our parents age, we want to treasure them for as long as we can, so we look for ways to help them stay healthy and active. But many older people suffer from depression, a condition that is not always easy to battle. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million...[ read more ]

Dr. Kristen Neff acknowledges in her writings and her academic research, self-esteem is created by comparison and evaluation. It's the work, school and sometimes even the play environments that most often builds or tears down our self-esteem. If you know me at all, you'll know that I'm not a fan of the comparison route. We do enough of it already...[ read more ]

So, you're new to the area? Or you're not new to the area, but you haven't really found a friend group? Here are four ideas to get you out and about. Let's talk about how to make friends in Miami.   Check out Meetup.com If you're not familiar with meetup.com, first let me clarify, this is not a dating website....[ read more ]

It can be exciting and adventurous to move to Miami. However, when the initial newness wears off, you may realize there are parts of life that you haven't planned for in this new place. Check out these tips for creating some familiarity and balance in your new city. Where is your green spot? Nature is a natural de-stressor and so...[ read more ]

I'm beginning an 8 post series on the psychological thrills and disappointments of moving . . . specifically to south Florida. More and more in my private practice, professional adults are coming in struggling to find their routine, their social connections and their balance, despite the initial excitement of moving to the east coast. Sometimes this reality hits a month...[ read more ]