How COVID-19 Is Teaching Us Self-Reliance

The pandemic has given each one of us more challenges than we knew what to do with — in various aspects of life, at that. With these challenges, however, came golden opportunities to learn more about ourselves and our capabilities, too. At the start of lockdown, many cried foul as services and resources were reduced or, in some cases, taken away. However, fast-forward to just a few months later, and people have learned to adapt and pick up invaluable skills along the way — in turn, becoming more self-sufficient and resourceful.

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Three Groups Counseling Will Not Work With: Part II

It’s rather common thinking amongst mental health practitioners that in order for this group (the not ready, but wish they were group) to change, first, there usually has to be some type of negative catalyst mixed into their current situation. The drugs run out; wife leaves; car crashes; electricity gets turned off; friends stop loaning money, etc. The belief is that in order for them to change, the consequences of not changing have to finally outweigh the consequences for changing.

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Someone Let Me Out: Autism and Trapped Communication 

Years ago, I won a trophy (small, albeit) speaking about my son’s autism and my homelessness and how these collided. “Serendipity,” I called it. I spoke of how it took an autistic person like my son, Cullen, to understand an ex-homeless fella like myself and vice versa. Some 5 or 6 years later, after years of pure frustration and helplessness dealing with his autism and delays, I never dreamt I would feel the way I do about him now.

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COVID 19: Are You Living Your Dreams or Your Fears?

This COVID-19 lock-down has been tough. But I think it’s especially challenging for those of you who already are struggling with OCD. Just like people who survived the great depression still stash money, you might fear that you may incessantly wash your hands, surfaces etc...forever. And the truth is, the media’s atomic bomb of fear around COVID is causing more of you to live your fears than your dreams…

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