The Crowded Dance Floor: Why We Fail to Make Room for Love

“Move! Why aren’t you moving?” the leader asked with visible displeasure. “I gave you such a clear signal. You need to move! Otherwise, how can we dance?!” The teacher walked over and gently patted the leader’s shoulder. “Your left hand opened up, but your body didn’t make room for her. There is no path for […]

Shall We Stop Pretending?

When a woman stops faking orgasms, how will her relationship change? What will that kind of relationship be like? In tango, if the follower stops pretending to understand the leader, can they still dance? How will they stay in sync? If both dancers stop managing their expressions and actions, can their true selves be freely […]

The No-Fault Game in Tango & Relationship

In couples counselling, it’s common to hear clients complain and criticize their partners, feeling they have been wronged, are struggling in the relationship, and are contemplating ending it. A wife, who came to the couple therapy due to the divorce issues, angrily said: ‘My husband’s individual therapist only listened to his side of the story […]

How to communicate effectively in intimate relationships (Article)

What is intimacy? In order to discuss communication in intimate relationships, we must first identify what is intimacy. A truly intimate relationship is something that we all crave, I might even argue that intimacy is key to survival. But what is intimacy? Tracking the origin of this word can help us understand what intimacy is.

Mindfulness Article by Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik explores the importance of Mindfulness in our present times.

HOW TO KICK YOUR SMOKING HABIT

Chances are you have been down this road before, or maybe this is your first time, either way there is no getting around the truth that quitting smoking is one of the most challenging habits to break.

CREATING LASTING HEALTHY HABITS

Why is it so hard to quit smoking, go to the gym, practice safe sex, or eat healthy? Everyone knows these things are healthy and yet many of us struggle to commit.

DON’T STRESS ABOUT STRESS: HOW TO TRANSFORM STRESS INTO FUEL

What is the purpose of stress? Stress chemicals prepare our bodies to respond to threat. Historically, this was helpful for surviving an attack from predators, but what about in modern society? How can stress work in our favor?

Depression as a chance for personal growth

Do you feel good? No? Or do you feel too shy to admit that you’re not feeling good?

Therapy can Change your Brain

Very much like the human who carries it, our brain is a very social creature. Our life circumstances, the relationships we have, experiences we have – all of these are influencing the development of our brain. The newest research in neuroscience shows that too many negative experiences will result in developing certain neural patterns that […]

4 Elements to Elevate your Mood

4 Elements to Elevate your Mood The days are getting shorter, the weather is gloomy and winter is around the corner. All the more reason to take good care of ourselves; to not only put on that extra layer to keep us warm but to pay attention to how we feel. Here are the 4 […]

Understanding Eating Disorders

With summer approaching, our thoughts often turn to travel, beaches, fun in the sun…and our appearance.  How many of us have had the thought that we need to shed a few pounds before the season of shorts and swimsuits? 

FINDING MY PLACE

As a new school year begins, how can we help our children to not only stand out but fit in at the same time?

Boundaries for Teens, A Balancing Act

“Everyone else is doing it.”   “Everyone else’s parents let them.”   What parent of a teen hasn’t heard this before? 

Beating the Holiday Blues

For some, coming back to Shanghai after their summer holidays is an exciting time. They’re ready to get into another season, to prepare to welcome fall, to get back

Inner Pain, Outer Scars Article by Carrie Jones

She walked into my office with her arms extended and wrists covered in startling cuts. “Quick, quick! I need some bandages.”

Change Your Mind with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a blend of two effective forms of psychotherapy: cognitive and behavioral therapy. According to CBT, our

Partnership: Competition and dominance

In the past, partnership was about one person supporting the other to self-fulfillment.

Balancing the Books

In a rigorous academic environment like the Shanghai international school circuit, how do we help our children to manage their school-related stress and worries?

Children and Change – Adjustment by Age

Children and Change – Adjustment by Age By Carrie Jones, LCSW   Have you ever wished that kids came with a manual, telling you just what to expect and exactly how to respond? 

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN How does drug and alcohol use affect the adolescent brain, and how do we help our teens to make healthy choices?

UNLOCKING THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN

Research shows us how understanding adolescent brain growth can help to increase our understanding of corresponding adolescent behavior.

BIG GAME ANXIETY

How we as parents can help our children with managing performance-related anxiety. Enrolling our children in extra-curricular activities like competitive athletics 

Screens, Screens, Everywhere Screens

In the tech-driven world of today, how can we as parents effectively monitor the amount of time our children spend in front of a digital screen?

Food for Thought

The association between dietary habits and a child’s mental wellbeing may be stronger than we once considered. Any pediatrician will tell you that a balanced diet rich in vitamins

Barks for the Brain

Neuroscientific research findings suggest that owning and caring for a pet can have a significantly positive impact on