When we're building a new relationship, we spend time getting to know each other. We plan, do stuff together, have fun. But really, that stuff is all about getting to know you, not getting to really know you. Sharing deep, intimate feelings with each other, being there in times of upset and crisis, that's when you really know the other. Those times together are spent in one's inner sanctum. It's always a risk to open up your inner sanctum to another. However, it's really worth it. That's where, in shared emotional intimacy, you find your kindred spirit, your soul mate. So, I'm asking today, where is your inner sanctum? Check out the following.

How many of your encounters ended badly because of misunderstood words? I bet it's way  too many. It's really true that your words matter. When you have to add, "I'm just messing with you," or," Just kidding, Sheesh!" the damage of your words to your partner has already been done. In the following, I offer insight into how and why your words matter and also how you can be clear and specific to avoid hurt feelings. More is available in my new book, The Healing Journey: Overcoming Adversity on the Path to the Good Life. You can find it on amazonbooks.com at

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY9PQXMZ

We all are who we are. But who is that? Many components over our lifetime make us who we are. The parts we like? We embrace. The parts we don't like? We can do something to change them. To look at how we form our personal identity, check out the following. For more, go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY9PQXMZ.

Dieting is never fun. It seems like forever to lose to your goal weight. Once there, though, the reward in confidence, self-image, mood, and assurance is fantastic! Pattie needed to lose the final 30 lbs. to reach her pre-pregnancy weight. See how she got there. She's a whole new person. I have more such stories in my new book, The Healing Journey: Overcoming Adversity on the Path to the Good Life. Find it at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY9PQXMZ. 

Blessings,

Dr. Jon

When summer starts and kids are out of school, kids go, "Yaaay!" Parents go, "Ugh! Groan." While there may be lots to fill the long summer hours, how about something new?  This website, https://www,websiteplanet.com/blog/safest-coding-sites-for-kids/, is a great place to find some new stuff. It reviews 38 code-learning, gaming options for you and your kids, available for kids ages 5-18. Check you my examples and go to the above web-site for the whole package. Help fill your kid's summer with fun and educational stuff. Blessings, Jon

Bad things happen to everyone. It's how we handle them that develops our character and defines our lives. Really bad things can leave emotional scars that need healing. When those scars generate flashbacks to traumatic events, that's the heart of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Check out this podcast and get a context for your healing journey. Blessings, Jon

Healthy boundaries are the emotional elixir of strong relationships. When we maintain healthy boundaries, we balance self-care with other care. Feelings are not hurt. Good choices are made. Everybody is valued and all of us get along. Great! Easy to identify and talk about. Hard to put in place. With this podcast, I'm sharing with you the substance and context of setting healthy boundaries and also giving you an example from a therapy exchange. My new book, The Healing Journey: Overcoming Adversity on the Path to the Good Life, gives more concrete examples and shows how mentalligent psychotherapy can light your path on your healing journey. Blessings,

Jon

In effective therapy, there are 4 stages. As you go on your healing journey, these mile markers will guide you. Check them out. Blessings, Jon

Rubber bands hold the key to our healing journey and mental health. Wait. What? Think about it. Rubber bands are so unassuming until you use them. Their use comes from their ability to stretch, expand, and gather essential parts. Does that sound like personal human growth to you? Ponder the rubber band with me. Blessings, Jon

Life is stressful. Good stress, called eustress, as well as bad stress, which we all know as distress. You can't get away from it. The best way you can deal with stress is to develop resilience. Being resilient gives you the tools to overcome any adversity and to develop healthy stress management. Today I offer the ABCs of mastering resilience. Whether you are among the stressed (aren't we all?) general public or a helping professional looking for the latest tools of innovative psychotherapy, check out this new episode.