In the popular television series Once Upon a Time, Snow White is devastated that she cannot be with her true love, Prince Charming. The pain of facing life without him is so searing that she begs the village wizard for relief. He tells her that he can erase her pain...

Do you ever wake up in the morning grumpy, or even depressed? Do you have a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you start up the cycle of providing breakfast, organizing kids, rushing off to work, and facing a mile-long "to do" list?

The morning is a...

It may be a new year, but is it really a new you? Let's face it -- it's unlikely that you've suddenly acquired a new wardrobe, started a new career, found a new family, or overhauled your personality.

Do not despair. You don't need a life makeover to experience more...

In June of 2012, cancer came to call. Over the next six months, I watched my brave husband, Daniel, face surgery and then round after round of healing "poison," a witch's brew that would hopefully extend his life.

Earlier I wrote that I would invite his cancer to...

Lights, music, festivities, and feasts all around -- but if you're grieving the loss of a loved one, it is anything but "the most wonderful time of the year." It's possible that you're feeling more irritable and shut down than Scrooge and the Grinch combined. While others seem to be...

If you're not feeling connected to your spouse after work, if family dinner in your house has disintegrated into a chaotic free-for-all, then it's time to make some changes to your evening meal routine.

True, there are many nights when conflicting kid and adult schedules make...

The Dalai Lama is quoted as saying: "Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace."

For most of us this idea seems like common sense. Why should we allow others to control our inner world? Still, staying calm when we interact with challenging people can...

My 54-year-old client sat across from me with tears in her eyes. She was describing her mother's death when she was 8 years old. She choked back her tears, overwhelmed by emotion. This loss of 46 years was as fresh as if it had occurred yesterday.

She leaned toward me,...

We all know that a good mother should be loving, nurturing, giving, and kind to her children. But can a good mother offer those same traits to herself? As a mother and stepmother of five children, I've learned the importance of self-care. I also know how difficult it...

I have been working with grievers for over 20 years. My grief book, Transcending Loss, was published 15 years ago and continues to help readers. One of the reasons for its enduring appeal is that it acknowledges the lifelong impact of grief. In it, I give grievers permission...

Life is full of situations that we deem "wonderful": weddings, new babies, pay raises, promotions, and vacations. It's so easy to feel happy and content when these wonderful events occur in our lives.

But life is equally full of "terrible" situations: getting fired, having cancer or a serious illness, death,...

I never wanted to join the Cancer Club. I never wanted to know intimately the difference between stage two and stage four. I never wanted to rearrange clients around my husband's surgery date. But then, it happened.

I heard the words that no one wants to hear: "It's cancerous." And...

We live in a culture that avoids emotional discomfort. In fact, our society makes it easy to look for distractions and diversions from all things painful. If we can drink, eat, shop, play or Facebook grief away, we will.

But here's the truth -- losing a loved one is excruciatingly...

In a word: appreciation. It sounds simple but its power is super-charged. The dual aspects of gratitude and recognition, both imbedded in the loving art of appreciation, are like sunshine and water to a plant.

As modern couples, we are at extreme risk for taking each other for...

We all know that one of the best ways to manage stress is exercise. Of course, we could also include massages, vacations, and healthy food as effective stress managers. But all these solutions require special circumstances that cost us money and time -- money and time that we often don't...

A relationship is like a plant: It needs regular attention to stay healthy. Does your plant have enough sunlight? Is the soil a bit dry? Are the flowers drooping?

When we come home stressed and exhausted at the end of the day, the thought of sitting down for a...

I know that you're busy. You're juggling work, family obligations and personal goals. I know that you're stressed. You've got financial pressures, time constraints, health concerns and house projects. Who has the time to relax when you can barely keep your head above water? You do!

Taken from my recent...

Grief is one of the most universal of human experiences. Virtually every single person you know, including yourself, will eventually lose a loved one. Grief is the great equalizer, experienced by everyone in spite of their wealth, education, health or fame. While some people experience loss earlier and more traumatically...

It's tempting to think that you need the tropical beach, the hammock by the lake, the walk in the woods, the yoga retreat or the special meditation cushion in order to feel the "ahhhhh" of inner peace. We all have certain props or places that we use to jump start...

It's Valentine's day again and no doubt restaurants will be full of star-struck, dopamine-heavy couples falling in love. Some may even be getting engaged. But if you've been coupled for a while, Valentine's day may feel routine. In fact, you may be at that stage where your sweetheart is dangerously...