In a world where we often find ourselves entangled in the complexities of dysfunctional systems—whether they be familial, societal, or institutional—it’s easy to lose touch with our inherent ability to heal, grow, and live authentically. Natasha Morisawa, a skilled Marriage and Family Therapist, specializes in helping individuals and families navigate these challenging dynamics…
“It can’t just be me.” “What isn’t you?” “My anxiety when driving around big cities like Los Angeles. I think the traffic here doesn’t match my sacred speed.” “I’ve never heard anyone use that phrase before: sacred speed. That feels powerful.” “I’m not sure we’re meant to go that fast. The world keeps running faster than me, faster than the…
Whether you’re beginning therapy for the first time or have years of therapy experience, it will be helpful to explore the time and space between therapy sessions. This is a time for growth and change towards the hopes and expectations you have for therapy and your life. As you already know, therapy is a process that starts when you courageously…
The Girl Scouts motto is “Be prepared” and can be applied to many areas of our lives. For the cuts, blisters, and bruises that happen along the way, a basic first aid kit might be something you might carry with you. For those of us going through more difficult emotional times that may include “trips and falls,” have you considered…
When thinking of a title for this article, several variations on the theme came to mind: Feelings: Everybody Has Them I Feel, Therefore I am Yeah, I Have Feelings. So What? Feelings 101 I Have Feelings? Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings Feelings…I Would Rather Talk About Sex. I was looking for a way to approach a subject that is often…
With the recent high winds in Pasadena, California and the surrounding region, there was an amazing amount of debris and destruction. The most prolific evidence of the power of these winds can still be seen around town in the piles of leaves, scattered branches and toppled trees that line the streets. It is humbling to see 100 year old oak…
Something about one year ending and another beginning is a time when some of us decide to make a fresh start. ‘Out with the old, in with the new’ is the mantra. Those of us who are more cynical may respond to this phenomenon as just some good intentions that will be long forgotten by the time tax season arrives.…
In his book The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD defines mindfulness as “awareness of present experience with acceptance.” In my experience there are so many challenges to being able to meet that definition in everyday life. Consciously being in the present moment takes practice. It may come easily in certain situations such as watering…
Starting this blog has been a new experience for me, and I have had a chance to briefly explore some of my hopes and expectations as well as my concerns and even some fears. Just when it started feeling like a potentially overwhelming project in terms of keeping it current and not letting it fall into a pile of…