Author: Sylvia

We are in a strange time and all of us are effected to some degree. Many are feeling unsettled, worried and concerned

A blog reader writes, “Hi I’m a 45 yr. old woman living alone.  For about 8 yrs my mother has become very controlling. She insists I move closer to her so I can be with family more. She doesn’t take into consideration I have a life and a job. How do I tell her no […]

Sylvia Flanagan, LMFT discusses the importance of examining motives behind goals and values in order to remain authentic and truthful to self and others.

Guest blogger Geoffrey Faustman, MA, IMF offers the following insights on texting and how it can impact relationships.

Emotional abuse is often minimized because it doesn’t involve physical abuse but the damaging effects are anything but small.

Difficult family members are not so unusual, but knowing how to navigate them is. This blog post gives suggestions on how to manage unhealthy family dynamics.

Affordable online counseling now available. This blog post helps answers most frequently asked questions.

Truth telling is fraught with responsibility, will hurt some, acknowledges our limitations and inefficiencies, but is integral to life’s meaning and purpose.

Sylvia Flanagan, MFT writes about the effects of our relationship with time and poor time management.

When people think of therapy, all too often they visualize themselves lying on a couch and speaking in a stream of consciousness while a counselor nods and takes notes. Fortunately, therapy doesn’t have to be a slog through tragic memories and hurt feelings with little effect except disturbing recall.  Counseling is meant to empower you, […]

You’ll easily find a variety of therapists in San Diego, but then will be faced with the decision of which type of therapist to see and what medium to be seen.  After all, there are a range of therapies and therapists to choose from, and the right therapist for you may be drastically different than […]

A person can benefit in multiple ways from counseling, but 7 common benefits are outlined in this post.

One common weakness I see in relationships and singles is people focus far too much on what they want from the other person and the relationship instead of what they have to give.

Are you considering counseling?  Maybe you feel you might benefit from counseling, but have heard negative comments about the therapeutic process.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there.  As a therapist in San Diego with over 15 years of experience, I can definitely speak to this issue!  If counseling is something you’re contemplating […]

Marriage is one of the biggest decisions of your life. When you say “I do”,

There are times in life when working with an experienced therapist is a good option for re-framing life’s experiences or dealing with difficult situations and issues. You might be considering counseling to better manage a difficult circumstance, improve a relationship, or adjust to a life transition.

Forgiveness is a tough subject. Some of us navigate it fairly well, but most of us have a contentious relationship with the act of forgiving. I think part of the challenge of forgiving is due partially to misunderstanding what forgiveness really is and how it can benefit us.

Deciding to seek the services of a counselor is a big step in the right direction when you want an empathetic listening ear. A qualified therapist is trained to provide you with insight and tools to improve your life,

Codependency is an often used, but frequently misunderstood term. It is a form of dependency, but it also differs from dependency. “Dependency” in and of itself is not a bad thing and doesn’t automatically imply weakness.

Every relationship has some difficulties. And, every person has their limitations and challenges. In my sessions, I often jokingly, but seriously, point out that “the fleas come with the dog”

Usually, we grow and learn the most during times of pain and struggle. Life can deal us a rough hand at times. Perhaps you’ve lost a job, are going through

One of the most frequent challenges I see many of my clients facing is whether or not to be emotionally vulnerable. Some people are somewhat

Emotions can be difficult terrain to navigate and often fool us into believing things about ourselves and situations which aren’t true.

My registered intern Aubree Papaj, M.S. is offering a free 90 minute Boundary Workshop on January 16th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.  This workshop will cover ways to identify poor boundaries, solutions to improve boundary setting, common problems associated with setting boundaries, communication strategies and how healthy boundaries help you and your relationships.  RSVP required. […]