Accepting What We Cannot Change, and Changing What We Can

Accepting What We Cannot Change, and Changing What We Can Most of us are familiar with the Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” This has become such a commonly known invocation that it is … Read more

Part 2: Distress Tolerance–Let’s Not Make It Any Worse

Part 2: Distress Tolerance–Let’s Not Make It Any Worse In Part 1 of our Distress Tolerance blog series, I explained why each and every one of us needs distress tolerance skills and I offered suggestions for implementing a set of strategies called T.I.P.P.  In this blog, I share two additional distress tolerance strategies for you … Read more

Part 1: Distress Tolerance–Let’s Not Make It Any Worse

Part 1: Distress Tolerance–Let’s Not Make It Any Worse Distress tolerance is one’s ability to endure or withstand discomfort/stress. Distress tolerance skills are unique in that, rather than the goal being to make things better, the goal is to not make the situation worse. Learning to bear pain and discomfort skillfully is important because pain … Read more

Who’s your BFF?

Who’s your BFF? Who would you say is your Best Friend Forever (BFF)?  If you said, “I am!,” you are already feeling my message.  It may sound strange, but the idea of being one’s own best friend can be powerful and healing.  I’m not suggesting that you should immediately drop your external best friends to … Read more

Can I Have a Puppy?

A pet can be an opportunity for a child or adolescent to learn responsibility and build caretaking skills. A child’s pet can also be a wonderful companion, confidant, and playmate.