Healing Psych

Dr. Katrina Wood's psychotherapy blog

Getting creative with your inner child

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Staying connected to our inner child -- or as Carl Jung would say, our 'eternal child' -- provides an expansion of who we are both emotionally and creatively. There are great rewards in preserving the rights of the little one within us. By treating ourselves with kindness and compassion -- providing gentle and steady encouragement -- our psyches are more inclined to maintain a sense of wonder … [Read more...]

What is it about Rusty, Fido and Mimi?

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We all love our cats and dogs and pets of all shapes, sizes and breeds. We are a nation of pet lovers, and for good reason. Studies show pets improve our wellness and mood. They offer relief from depression and isolation, thus strengthening our immune systems. No wonder we love our pets. But there is more to this story than meets the eye. In many ways, our animals are extensions of … [Read more...]

Keeping your cool in the dog days of summer

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Hot enough for you? Heat and irritability both spike in the summer months. Tempers rise right along with those thermometer readings. The FBI reports that July and August are the worst months for crime, especially incidents of domestic violence. Why are we more likely to be cross in the summer? Any number of things could be in the mix. Difficulty sleeping. Heat-related disruptions of the … [Read more...]

Taking the leap with ‘leading-first validation’

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Many of us fear intimacy, for it often summons the unknown -- and the unknown can be scary. Still, intimacy is what we crave the most. We'd rather take the risk than not, in order to find that deep connection with others in which we feel that we're seen, heard and cared for. Fear of being hurt often prevents us from "being" with others the way we long to be treated. Here's a good approach … [Read more...]

Being of service in unexpected ways

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Marking Memorial Day, we reflect with gratitude on those who have served and protected our country from harm and invasion -- honoring our right to freedom, prosperity and dignity. We might also reflect on the service we are all able to contribute from within our borders each and every day. In little and big ways, being of service can be not only of enormous help for others but also deeply … [Read more...]