Author: Sylvia

Why Premarital Counseling? Premarital counseling is a relatively inexpensive investment put towards one of the most important decisions in peoples’ life – their marriage.  It is usually short term ranging from 3 to 5 premarital counseling sessions and covers many potential areas that may not have been explored by a couple preparing to marry.  Premarital […]

Romance doesn’t have to be expensive! Summertime in San Diego offers abundant opportunity for fun and romance, but our current economic climate puts a damper on dating for many couples.  Several people get stuck in the cliche of “dinner and a movie” and while that can be great fun, it can also come with a […]

If you are wanting to distance yourself from a friend, chances are you probably don’t view them as much of a friend any longer.  Perhaps you still care for them, but for various reasons, it may no longer be healthy for you to have them in your life in a friendship capacity. What Defines a […]

The Chinese word for “crisis” is comprised of two characters – the first character symbolizing “danger” and the second character symbolizing an incipient moment, a crucial point when something begins or changes, or opportunity.  When a difficult time is upon us, there is no doubt it will be uncomfortable and we’ll struggle.  The pain is […]

“I need to lose weight before I’ll look good in my bathing suit!” How many times have you said something similar to yourself or heard other people echoing the same sentiments?  For most people, this is a slippery slope and a set up premised with dislike for yourself.  I have worked with several women, and […]

I often encounter couples who feel misunderstood and unappreciated when they make attempts to care for their partner.  What starts as an earnest attempt to care sometimes ends up in frustration and argument.  For many, just knowing their partner’s “Love Language” can deter these disappointing mishaps.  In his book “The 5 Love Languages”, Dr. Gary […]

All of us have down days and some have more than others.  Whether you are generally a happy person or whether you battle depression on a regular basis, the game rules are the same to feeling better and avoiding more of what you don’t want.  Depression and sadness have a tendency to whisper in our […]

Is There a Drinking Problem? Drinking alcohol is very prevalent in our culture, and unfortunately, so is its overuse making unhealthy or excessive drinking difficult to recognize.  What is too much?  Instead of trying to create a rigid and arbitrary standard based on numbers of drinks in a setting or days you drink out of […]

What is Emotional Abuse and How Do I Spot It? There are many forms of abuse, and some are easily defined.  But, emotional abuse is not as clear cut and often goes unrecognized and even accepted.  The following blog post will outline the signs of emotional abuse so it can be spotted and understood for […]

It’s so easy to get stuck in our feelings… feelings of depression, worry, anxiety, pain, etc.  The feelings aren’t generally the problem, but instead the “story” we make up about those feelings are the biggest culprit and whether we believe that story.  My work as a therapist in San Diego often entails working with clients […]

Chart Your Wheel of Life Staying away from extremes and incorporating essentials is a good start to achieving better balance and improved well-being in life.  So, what are the essentials?   While the list may vary somewhat among individuals, the following outline is a great starting point and foundation for all.  I encourage you to take […]

Some of the deepest opportunities in my therapy office as a San Diego Therapist involve a duplication of unhealthy dynamics which occur in the client’s personal life.  As the therapy relationship deepens, a client will undoubtedly be triggered by the therapist at some point and will be angered, annoyed or saddened.  This is a pivotal […]

All of us get stressed and overwhelmed, but not all of us have an understanding of what can buffer us from worry and circumstance while helping move us to a calmer, more grounded place.  Whether your stress takes the form of anxiety or depression, knowing the antidote is good insurance against what could be unnecessary […]

There are only two ways to approach life – with action or inaction.  Too often, people don’t strive for what they need or want because they doubt their abilities or are afraid.  You can’t always help it in the moment if you fear something, but you can make sure you don’t become a victim to […]

One thing I see as a San Diego therapist is the hesitancy for people to apologize.  Many folks stand behind egos, defenses and excuses and have difficulty apologizing whether it’s to a friend, co-worker, or significant other.  I wish more people would reconsider the apology and rediscover the strengths, freedom and benefits associated. Re-think Apologies […]

Listening is Hard Work, but Worth the Effort! As a San Diego therapist, I spend a lot of time with couples working to improve their communication skills.  Listening is a skill that is crucial to good communication and a healthy relationship.  The average person only remembers and understands about 50% of a 10-minute presentation immediately […]

Differences Don’t Mean You’re Doomed! As a San Diego therapist, I often get excited when seemingly dreaded statements come from my clients who are in new relationships.  The honeymoon period while dating is exhilarating, fun, and necessary, but doesn’t capture the reality of relationship.  Real issues surface as differences emerge and this is often expressed […]

Many people consider pursuing therapy in San Diego, but many aren’t sure how to begin looking for the right therapist.  After making the decision to go to therapy, finding a San Diego therapist can be a daunting task as San Diego is a large city and there are many therapists from which to choose.  But, […]

For some people, depression is a lifelong battle due to various factors, but for most of us depression is temporary and circumstantial.  But, when it strikes, we often think it will attach itself to us forever.  When the strength of depression hits, it speaks in deceptive ways and leads us to think we’ll never feel […]

I’m sure all of us have either heard of or experienced “Facebook drama” which usually pivots around romantic relationships and friendships. Often, it’s Facebook that is blamed for these relationship upsets, but I take a different position. I believe social media simply provides a medium for patterns that already exist in individuals and offers opportunity […]

In my private practice as a San Diego therapist, I often see the damaging effects of unbridled anger on relationships. And, men don’t have the corner on this market either – plenty of women do their fair share of harm through fiery tempers and uncensored words. So, what are some suggestions for couples who continue […]

Intimacy barriers, or walls of defense, ultimately lead to breakdown in communication. This breakdown usually manifests in one of two ways – blame/criticism or shutdown/withdrawal.