The role of self-talk in ACT with compassion

It’s great to see some readers of this blog/website start to respond! One of our readers (who chose to remain anonymous but agreed to let me post this) asked a great question about ACT and compassion interventions. I wanted to share my response publicly so that others might benefit (assuming there’s something useful in there). … Read more

Crazy Monkey Mind

Do you have any clients coming to see you because their minds tend to run away with them? Or rather, because your client tends to run away with their mind? The mind says, “You are doing everything wrong!” and your client says, “Yes, let’s think about that all day.” The mind says, “I don’t think … Read more

Finding Compassion in Nature

When I was little, there was a tree in the backyard of my family’s home. It had three knots in the perfect eyes and nose configuration and a groove in just the right place for a mouth. It was Mr. Tree. Often, when I was feeling sad or hurt I would go outside and sit … Read more

Miles O’Brien on life after losing an arm

Stories really ground me. I find I can be touched by stories in ways that surpass almost any other form of expression. I save up stories for hard days. For days when I crave connection, motivation, love. Stories of redemption, of imperfect people finding restoration or the unexpected in the hearts of others or in … Read more

The Burn of Shame

I feel the burn of shame even as I write this. I have a 19 year old dog, Dalai. I love this dog, I mean really love this dog. She’s the best dog in the world. Some of you know what I mean; you may also have the best dog in the world. But this best dog … Read more