Everyone who knows me well, knows I am passionate about being a shrink. From the moment I embraced this career, I’ve never looked back. I can no longer distinguish what I do from who I am. And this is a good thing. And, sometimes, it’s hard to be a shrink. Like when I hear someone’s […]

We are coming to the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I want to share my personal experiences—yet again. I am now a two-time survivor…fourteen years and almost two years. Both times, my cancer was found through my yearly mammogram and caught in the very earliest stages. I remain profoundly grateful. While there is […]

This is one of those stories that, if written in a novel or as a scene in a movie, would be dismissed as contrived. Unbelievable. And yet, it happened just as I describe. And all the circumstances, the timing, the spontaneity suggest more than mere coincidence. For me, it was the most profound experience of […]

Last week I sat with a man talking about his eight-month-old son—his antics, amazing accomplishments at his early age, how much he loves him. Suddenly the dad stared off with a pensive expression. “I told him he’s growing too fast,” he said. All I could do was smile gently and nod. He’s right. They all […]

All doubt, despair, and fear become insignificant once the intention of life becomes LOVE. ~Rumi We who are cancer survivors have different kinds of anniversaries. We speak in code to one another, inquiring about health, sharing the latest—especially when it is good news—because we know the wolf is always at the door. We are in […]

“New Year’s most glorious light is sweet hope!” ~Mehmet Murat ildan Of the many milestones in a year—birthdays, holidays, anniversaries of any kind—none force us to reflect or compel us to look forward as much as the New Year itself. In late December, we are bombarded with “Best of” lists—movies, music, theatrical productions, and books. […]

“If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.” ~ George Bernard Shaw Really, George? The skeleton? Just one? Most families I know have many more than one skeleton in the closet. Tis the season when shrinks’ couches are filled with people stressing over their families. In my […]