Healing Psych

Dr. Katrina Wood's psychotherapy blog

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

A two-step approach to childhood pain

June 29, 2017 By Dr. Katrina Wood

trauma child girl

It is instinctual to intervene when a child is hurt, physically or emotionally -- to try to stop the young one's pain. Say when a child suffers a cut or a bruise. Or feels the emotional pain of losing a pet. Or reels from injurious comments made by a bully at school. Our inclination is to say something like, "It's OK; it’s not that bad." Or, "Honey you'll be OK -- just shake it off." Or the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: children, healing, parenting Tagged With: validating feelings

The Law of Attraction: Another way through the looking glass

May 26, 2017 By Dr. Katrina Wood

time reflection

The notion that we attract who we are and how we walk in the world perhaps has some merit, but the concept misses some important markers. Deep within us lies an abiding place: One full of creativity, joy, dreaming. But also with deep relational hopes, losses, pain and longings. Longings connected to the pain of lost relationships -- due to an early demise, rejection or an absence. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: healing, relationships Tagged With: couples

Summer’s here — so are the hotheads!

July 2, 2015 By Dr. Katrina Wood

Air travel for summer vacation

Summer has finally arrived, conjuring up all manner of fun, relaxation and, of course, vacation adventures. In today's fast-paced world, people sometimes forget that the journey to our destination -- for our well-deserved and much-needed breaks -- is supposed to be part of the fun. But it doesn't always work out that way, does it?! Traveling, even for good times, often sets the stage for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: good vibrations, healing Tagged With: family fun

They all laughed — and got better

April 9, 2014 By Dr. Katrina Wood

Patch Adams doctor of humor

When Dr. Patch Adams first starting showing up at hospitals wearing his big red clown's nose, his fellow MDs thought perhaps he had lost his mind. Many expressed concern for the good doctor's stability. Adams asked these dubious medical professionals to humor him. They did. Soon enough, he led the profession into embracing healing of an unusual kind. That of laughter. Hunter D. "Patch" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: good vibrations, healing

Finding healing within the meaning

June 25, 2013 By Dr. Katrina Wood

damage from past

It's not unusual for people to hold on to anger over an event or behavior for years, or even decades. This can lead to great pain, sorrow and loss. Why do we cling so tenaciously to our deepest feelings? The answer can be layered and complex. A key aspect of transforming and integrating deep emotions -- necessary for our wellness and healing -- involves a subtle yet critical aspect of our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: healing, relationships

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • Next Page »

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 Katrina Wood

Dr. Katrina Wood Dr. Katrina Wood is an author, lecturer and psychotherapist focusing on emotional healing. She lives in L.A., where she runs the Wilshire/Valley psychotherapy center.

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.

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.

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.

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 © 2026 Dr. Katrina Wood · All rights reserved · Web direction: Internet Forestry · Privacy · Contact