Healing Psych

Dr. Katrina Wood's psychotherapy blog

Hearing the voice of the Child in the election uproar

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The presidential election proved equally historic and traumatic for millions of Americans. A wide range of affect states, from outrage to joy, are being exhibited across the nation. Tempers flaring. Feelings of rage, shame, pain, helpless loss and devastation. Yet for others, the election results brought happiness; sighs of relief and resolution. This political chasm brings concerns … [Read more...]

Ganging up on bullies

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Bullying comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes and guises. There is no universal experience for its targets. At its core, bullying produces in victims some of the most debilitating and isolating of feelings. Those who suffer persistent bullying know profound feelings of low self-worth and self-doubt -- and often terror. In school, this abuse often leads students to withdraw and underachieve. … [Read more...]

Resentment: It’s a grind

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We're in an age in which anger seems a dominant emotion. Resentments can linger for a lifetime. Those grinding and gnawing feelings associated with resentment never seem to resolve themselves. Let's do some "unpacking" and take a closer look at some of our resentments. Starting with a few key questions: 1. How much is your worth being defined by the other person who is causing distress? … [Read more...]

Failure: The downside … and the upside

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I remember watching with fascination and dread the ice skating championships at the Olympics at Sochi in 2014. Some of the most artistic, disciplined, skilled and graceful performers in the world took to the icy rink with bold courage. Taking enormous risks, they spun and twirled with big smiles and great passion -- speeding around the rink to loud music, from classical to rock to blues. I … [Read more...]

Guilt: Yes, it’s tricky

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Just about all of us experience guilt one way or another. But how much, for how long, and in what circumstances? Did we pinch our younger brother when he took the last cookie from the plate? After all, father noticed and admonished us for being so mean. Would we have felt guilt if father hadn't reacted? Did we feel guilt for being mean -- or were we just mad that we were caught in the … [Read more...]