Grief is difficult year round, but seems to be especially difficult during the winter holidays. A smell, a scent, a song can immediately bring back the feelings of sorrow. The winter holidays tell us to hold on, because the days are going to get longer and the warmth will return to our lives.

- Angla Moore, JD, LCSW

Many times in my therapy practice, clients will describe an emotional response to a situation and express guilt or shame at having had the emotion at all. They have this response to fear, sadness, jealousy, anger, and even joy.

Brian Kunde, MS, LCSW

Psychotherapist and sex therapist Ty David Lerman, says a crucial first step in figuring out what labels, if any, are right for you is cultivating a willingness to learn about yourself: “Get curious about your fantasies, your literal dreams, and what you’re attracted to.”

“So much of my human sexuality education focuses simply on how the body works, which [is where] the vast majority of American education fails us,” says Ty David Lerman, a psychotherapist and certified sex therapist.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic process that encourages clients to focus on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation.

Dianne Pulsipher, MA, LPC

“Some polyamorous couples have adopted the Celtic practice of handfasting, which allows many hands to be bound together to signify the binding of several lives, as a symbolic commitment ceremony.”

Brandy Lerman, LPC, and Chau Nguyen, LMSW, answer Valentine’s Day questions.

Brandy Lerman, LPC, and Chau Nguyen, LMSW, answer viewer relationship questions.

Our relationship experts answer sex and romance-related viewer questions.

Sexless marriages. Fading romance. Feeling used for sex inside your relationship. Why does it happen? Our therapists have answers.

Therapists Ty David Lerman and Shane Hennesey encourage focusing on mental health in the new year.

The start of a new year is a natural time for reflection and goal-setting. Many people use this opportunity to set intentions for the coming year, which can help to provide focus, direction, and motivation.

By Ty David Lerman PhD, LPC-S, CST, QTAP

Licensed therapists Ty Lerman and Dr. Emily Jamea help us establish boundaries and dodge the emotions of the holidays.

Licensed therapists Ty Lerman and Dr. Emily Jamea help us establish boundaries and dodge the emotions of the holidays.

We have all experienced it, a client is doing the work, showing up and then suddenly, they are gone, nowhere to be found. Your client has ghosted you. As a therapist, you feel lost, wondering what happened. You have so many questions. Was it something that you did, something that you didn’t do, is the client okay, are they even still alive? Ghosting can be about so many things. It can definitely be about a client’s own issues. But ghosting can also be about us as therapists, our practice and our own journeys.

By Angela Moore JD, LCSW

A few months ago I was trained in Brainspotting. It is a powerful therapeutic modality, and I am seeing very positive results for my clients. I have been an EMDR therapist for many years but felt a need to learn an additional tool to help my clients. I find that Brainspotting often works deeper and faster than EMDR which is very encouraging for my clients. So what is Brainspotting? David Grand, PhD, the developer of Brainspotting, wrote a detailed explanation, which you can read in detail on his website brainspotting.com if you’re interested. Below I will highlight some of his words.

By Dianne Pulsipher MA, LPC

“In this episode I speak with Ty David Lerman. Ty began his clinical practice in 2009 after completing graduate work at the University of Houston Clear Lake. With experience in both private practice and agency work, he has a solid working practice spanning numerous treatment topics, with an emphasis on anxiety and work-life balance.”

SWPA owner, Ty David Lerman spoke with Gigi Engle at TheBody on HIV Phobia, how it came to be, and the work at moving away from the pattern.

Our staff had a conversation earlier today about our legal and ethical duty to warn, to report abuse and neglect. Little did we know what was to follow.

By Sue Steinbruecker, LCSW

“Whatever your kids come home with, it’s important, again, to validate their experience. Make sure they feel seen and heard.” – Ty Lerman