Blog for Better Living
Thought Crimes: Why Your Thoughts Don’t Define You
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 6, 2024
Have you even beaten yourself up, judged yourself, or felt ashamed for having a thought that might upset others if you shared it with them? Does thinking poorly about someone make you a bad person? Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was among the first to grapple with these concepts, which are referred to as “thought crimes.” […]
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Understanding Religious Trauma and Its Effects
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 6, 2024
Trauma refers to the profound emotional and psychological impact that occurs when an individual’s sense of safety is compromised and their ability to cope is overwhelmed. Such experiences often shatter a person’s sense of security, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Trauma can arise from a wide array of experiences and is […]
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I’m an Accomplice
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | June 7, 2024
Long before I was a psychologist, I was a volunteer and worked with all sorts of queer people. I remember volunteering in Hawaii almost 30 years ago, and one of the local volunteers was a trans woman. She was in the process of transitioning, and to get the “approval” of a psychiatrist to fully transition, […]
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Should My Elder Parent and I Live Together?
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 8, 2024
When it becomes clear that one or both of your elderly parents needs an increasing amount of assistance, many adult children find themselves weighing the pros and cons of living with their aging parents. Before you decide to move in with your elderly parents, or move your elderly parents into your home, there are several […]
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Signs of a Trauma Bond
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 8, 2023
Do you wonder why you stay with someone who doesn’t treat you well? Have you asked yourself why you stay in painful relationships? Understanding the nature of the trauma bond might help you understand yourself and answer these questions. What is the Trauma Bond? Trauma bonding is an entanglement that keeps a person in a […]
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Ever Been DARVO’d?
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 8, 2023
DARVO is an acronym that stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverses roles of Victim (you) & Offender (them). It is a manipulation technique used by individuals who are abusive, narcissistic, or who engage in other types of wrongdoing. The objective of this strategy is to shift the focus away from the offender by attacking the […]
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Pride is a Drag!
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | June 2, 2023
It’s that time of year—National LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Every year, during the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community recognizes the influence that LGBTQ+ people and allies have around the world by celebrating in a number of different ways. And this year, I’m celebrating Drag! For me, drag is fun, creative, and playful, which is how […]
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Spoon Theory: What You Need to Know About Living With Chronic Illness
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 10, 2023
Spoon theory isn’t a dissertation on how spoons work. It’s a metaphor for the amount of energy that a person has on any given day. The concept began in the disability community 20 years ago and has been popular ever since, especially with people who suffer from autoimmune and chronic illness, like lupus, fibromyalgia, or […]
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The Fawn Response
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 9, 2022
Fight, Flight, Freeze……Fawn? Most people are familiar with the stress responses known as fight, flight, and freeze. These are natural responses to real, or perceived physical or emotional threats. These responses help us evade and manage threats and dangers we encounter to keep us safe. Have you heard of the fawn response? It’s less well […]
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When choosing a psychologist, you need to find someone who you can trust with your most personal concerns. We are here to answer any questions you may have and to ensure that we are the right match for you. To get in touch, visit our Contact page, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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