Healing Psych

Dr. Katrina Wood's psychotherapy blog

  • About
  • Psychotherapy centers
  • Business consulting
  • Twitter
  • Contact

My father the POW, ‘Fighting on Film’

August 13, 2024 By Dr. Katrina Wood

british actor

I am the daughter of a British army prisoner of war at Changi, a notorious WWII camp in the jungles north of Singapore. My father, Percy Herbert, went on to become a film actor. His early movies included the Oscar-winning "The Bridge on the River Kwai," directed by David Lean. Ironically the film was based on the very same concentration camp where my father was held for four years. Forced to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: families, stress and trauma Tagged With: media

When the hero takes a fall

August 7, 2024 By Dr. Katrina Wood

soldier at war

While post-traumatic stress disorder is experienced by many, PTSD resulting from combat has an enduring impact on veterans. This emerges in hidden, profound and sometimes shattering ways. Combat veterans typically are regarded by their communities as heroes and heroines. Invincible protectors. It is an order of the broadest and highest expectations. Yet it often leaves these heroes destined to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: healing, stress and trauma Tagged With: mourning & grief

Couples intensive therapy: risks and rewards

July 9, 2024 By Dr. Katrina Wood

marriage in trouble

Couples intensive therapy is for the courageous. For those who admit they've done all they can do on their own. It’s a brave, bold step for both parties struggling in an endangered relationship. The willingness to seek help is a core positive value, especially in such an intimate part of our lives. Therapists know only too well that those turning to intensive interventions are in a lot of pain … [Read more...]

Filed Under: relationships Tagged With: childhood trauma, couples, divorce

At the movies: the observer and the observed

May 13, 2024 By Dr. Katrina Wood

psychiatrist movies

Hollywood has long presented psychotherapists and analysts as villains or saintly saviors, but around the turn of the century they became central characters in a handful of popular and hilarious comedies. Consider “Analyze This” (1999) and its sequel “Analyze That” (2002), both starring Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro. Then there’s “What About Bob?” (1991), pairing Bill Murray and Richard … [Read more...]

Filed Under: families, relationships Tagged With: media

Art and human beings: A formidable duo

March 8, 2024 By Dr. Katrina Wood

Galway Ireland artwork

Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? A puzzling question. One as old as time. We continue to stumble on and unearth myriad cultural artifacts. We discover fantastic Native American paintings on cave walls and desert rocks. Hieroglyphics deep within the pyramids of Egypt. When the Sutton Hoo burial ship was simply "dug up" by an unsuspecting gardener in a remote part of Norfolk, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: good vibrations, healing Tagged With: creativity

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 21
  • Next Page »

New video interview

In January 2025, Rachael Lassoff of Meddkit, above, interviewed Dr. Katrina Wood for her "Provider Spotlight" series. They discussed trauma, healing and the power of communication. Listen in.

Business consulting

Dr. Katrina Wood offers business consulting services with a focus on assisting entrepreneurs with startup mental health group practices. General consulting and coaching in the workplace for optimum performance. Learn more.

About Dr. Katrina Wood

Southern California psychotherapistKatrina Wood is an author, lecturer and certified life coach focusing on psychotherapy and emotional healing. She lives in Los Angeles, where she runs the Wilshire/Valley psychotherapy center. ( More )

Search for content

Couples intensive therapy

Wilshire/Valley Therapy Center's make-or-break sessions help couples get back on the love track … or enable them to move on. Katrina Wood, Ph.D., has developed these sessions and their content. Learn about the Couples Connect sessions.

Dr. Wood’s ‘Faerie’ tale

Children’s fantasy adventure : Katrina Wood’s “The Night of the Faerie Rade” is now available at Amazon. A wonderful gift for kids ages 6-10.

Dr. Wood at LACPA

View Katrina Wood's talk on suicide prevention at the L.A. County Psychological Association convention.

Top psychotherapy videos

Help with the holidays

Inner child exercises

Marital & premarital therapy

Help for children in divorces

View the Dr. Katrina Wood channel

My mental health centers

Wilshire/Valley Therapy Center & Management Services 

> Locations in Southern California
> Our therapeutic specialties

Topics: Mental health

About depression
Therapy: Getting help
Panic attacks
Co-parenting
Anxiety and GAD
Sexual abuse
Stress and trauma

Topics, categorized

Disclaimer

This blog discusses psychotherapy issues in a general way. Readers should address pressing concerns via their personal-growth support system. Some problems covered here are best handled directly by mental health providers.

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Katrina Wood · All rights reserved · Web direction: Internet Forestry · Privacy · Contact