Author: Harvey Hyman

Some parents will not tolerate displays of emotional neediness by their children. They respond by quashing even the slightest bit of complaining, unhappiness, fearfulness or crying. To do this they may resort to punishment, threats of punishment or buying the child off with the promise of a treat. Sometimes the parents may guilt trip the… Continue reading WHEN THE COST OF PEACE AT HOME IS TOO HIGH

As we enter middle age the burdens of the ageing, empty nest, loneliness, and financial strain can become overwhelming. Recently all of these problems have been aggravated by the Pandemic and skyrocketing inflation. This perfect storm has left quite a few middle-aged people feeling lonely, anxious, and financially challenged. This is especially true for women… Continue reading HOW TO REDUCE LONELINESS, ANXIETY, AND FINANCIAL STRAIN IN ONE FELL SWOOP

As a therapist I have observed how distorted self-concepts that people of older age swallow whole without critical evaluation act as a major cause of discouragement and depression. Here are just some of the inaccurate beliefs that older adults (those aged 60-80) with depression hold. If I haven’t discovered my purpose or passion by now… Continue reading HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION IN OLDER AGE

Cultures across the globe define masculinity in their own ways with criteria for who is and isn’t manly. The emotional message to men is that they must measure up to those particular criteria or feel ashamed and less than. The physical criteria include height, weight, shape, appearance, facial hair, physique, and physical strength. The character… Continue reading THE MASCULINITY TRAP

I am a trauma therapist and I am frequently asked by clients “how come I can’t let go of someone my rational mind tells me is bad for me?” When I question these clients I find that 99% of the time they had a parent who loved them inconsistently – a parent who was sometimes… Continue reading Insecure Attachment

A microaggression is a statement or action, whether intentional or the result of unconscious bias, which signifies that someone is less worthy, less intelligent, less capable, less deserving of belonging or less something on account of her status. The status would be membership in any historically marginalized group including but not limited to people of… Continue reading HOW TO HANDLE MICROAGGRESSIONS AND TRIGGERS

Frequent parental validation of one’s value and lovability as a person is essential to secure attachment and the feeling of safety. Frequent parental validation of one’s positive qualities (like kindness, generosity, concern for others, curiosity, and creativity) is equally essential. It is required for the development of ego strength, self-confidence, and optimism. Parental validation is… Continue reading HOW TO REDUCE YOUR NEED FOR EXTERNAL VALIDATION

A substantial number of my clients find partners who take command and use their power in the relationship to make my clients feel small by ordering them around, criticizing them, belittling them, and acting as mind readers by saying things like “you needn’t speak because I know exactly what you’re going to say.” Living with… Continue reading FINDING Y OUR AUTHENTIC VOICE IN A RELATIONSHIP

By Harvey Hyman, LPCC 10/7/22 For questions reach Harvey at authenticlifetherapies@gmail.com According to data published in 2010 by the federal agency that provides the best available evidence on the benefits and harms of drugs, at least 40% and as many as 60% of patients with depression do not improve by taking antidepressant drugs (1)(2). In… Continue reading Reducing and Preventing Depressive Symptoms with Food

A substantial number of people with chronic anxiety or depression also have chronic stomach pain that lowers their quality of life irrespective of whether they have objective findings of gastrointestinal obstruction or disease. Nutritional psychiatrists like Uma Naidoo, M.D., (the author of This is Your Brain on Food) say that in many cases the linkage… Continue reading CHRONIC STOMACH PAIN AND MOOD DISORDERS: CAUSES AND TREATMENT