02 Apr

Posted at 10:00h by
shortcuts_to_mindfulness_giveTimothy Leary is remembered by many as a drug-crazed hippie freak, but he was a serious psychologist and passionate seeker of freedom for the exploration of the human mind. Exo-Psychology is an important book he wrote which posited 8 levels of human development. When I read it, it was the first time I had seen Western ideas about higher functioning, and ones that did not necessarily include

26 Mar

Posted at 10:00h by
art therapyJustin is a creative person struggling with the evidence that his life is not working. He has no regular source of income, no girlfriend, and nothing to show for his years in LA. He has so many talents he can’t figure out his direction so he keeps starting over, creating plenty of drama. When I suggest that he may need to get a regular job to stabilize his life, his response is

19 Mar

Posted at 10:00h by
los-angeles-relaxationYou’ve seen the Dos Equis commercials portraying the idyllic life: leisurely lounging by the ocean, taking it easy with only a bathing suit and flip flops between you and the summer breeze. No work, no problems – the recipe for bliss. Except in real life, it doesn’t work that way. Most people who have a chance to live out this fantasy are surprised that it turns out to be a nightmare. After the first few hours, or days, they find themselves bored out of their skulls. That’s because human beings are

12 Mar

Posted at 10:00h by
mindfulness_therapy_aliveMost mornings, I go to the gym. I say “hi” to Casey at the front desk and several of the other regulars who work out at the same time. We complete our routines with as little thought as possible, doing what needs to be done in order to stay in shape, and hopefully getting strong and toned in the process. On most days, you’ll see a newbie

26 Feb

Posted at 10:00h by
spiritual_therapist_ostrich_egg“You have to love yourself first before you can love anyone else.” Justin is saying this as his explanation for why he’s still single. It’s an adage we’ve all heard a zillion times, haven’t we? I used to blindly believe it myself -- I’d heard it over and over and read it in self-help books, so it must be true. It’s considered so absolutely right, it’s not even questioned. I hear it frequently quoted by my patients and friends. But think it through with me: Many people out there in long-term relationships don’t particularly love themselves, and didn’t love themselves before they got paired up either. They didn’t wait until

19 Feb

Posted at 12:38h by
spiritual pathThe self-improvement business is booming. Videos, books, classes, teleseminars, newsletters, gyms, get-away weekends: the opportunities to improve yourself are endless. Whether it’s diet, fitness, attractiveness, ability to make money, relationships, or sexual skills, there is a myriad of offerings at all price points. People are caught up in the self-improvement business, but nobody seems to ask

12 Feb

Posted at 10:00h by
anxiety-mindfulness_therapyRelaxing with friends, chilling to an ambient groove, enjoying the sweet pungent odor of…incense? For most of us, this scene conjures up images of hippies in the 60s: bell bottoms, tie-dye, and never-ending Grateful Dead shows. Actually, it may point to one of the grooviest trends of our time, because according to a recent study,

05 Feb

Posted at 10:00h by
Mental Health AppsGive up your therapist? Not quite yet. But some exciting new trends in self help can be easily accessed right from your phone. Most mobile phone apps are intended as an adjunct to therapy rather than a replacement for it. Patients can learn to relax themselves, monitor their moods, and attend 12-step meetings. Even the Veteran Affairs National Center has developed an app for

29 Jan

Posted at 10:00h by

Don't Believe What You ThinkThere are many reasons we practice meditation. One of the most widely touted is its ability to help us manage stress and feel relaxed. This is all well and good; however, I think the most important benefit is that it teaches us to break our identification with our minds. We watch; we breathe; we observe our thoughts float by like clouds. When a particular thought captures our attention,

22 Jan

Posted at 10:00h by
mindful_therapy_bodyMany of my patients do not want to take medication for anxiety and I support their efforts to find a holistic solution. Here are my top recommendations for non-drug treatments for anxiety: 1) Practice some deep, slow breaths, all the way down, pushing your abdomen out. There’s a reason the Buddha is always pictured as having a big belly – belly breathing produces calm, chill people. Yoga and meditation classes can