by Harper West | Nov 3, 2025 | Emotional Intelligence, Narcissist, Relationships
When I was in an relationship with an abusive narcissist, he would often accuse me of flirting with men and cheating on him. I now recognize this was almost certainly projection of his own sins, but at the time I didn’t have that understanding. I was a conscientious,...
by Harper West | May 9, 2025 | Emotional Intelligence
I’m sharing an excellent article from Arthur C. Brooks in The Atlantic. Here is the link, but it is behind a paywall for subscribers. I completely agree with Brooks as this is the process I worked on in my personal development many years ago — decreasing an unhealthy...
by Harper West | Dec 22, 2023 | Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Parenting
Carlson’s therapy sessions often start the same way. He comes in loaded with energy and talking a mile a minute. He uses the chair less to sit in, but more as a climbing apparatus. Sure, he’s a 7-year-old boy and they often are energetic, but this behavior is next...
by Harper West | Feb 15, 2022 | Emotional Intelligence, Self-Acceptance
Be strong, but not rude. Be kind, but not weak. Be humble, but not timid. Be proud, but not arrogant. Zig Ziglar I am such a fan of compassion-based concepts and therapies because I know they worked for me. By happenstance I stumbled on these ideas and...
by Harper West | Mar 3, 2016 | Emotional Intelligence
I just finished a very readable and helpful new book by Jeanne Segal, PhD, “Feeling Loved: The Science of Nurturing Meaningful Connections and Building Lasting Happiness.” (2015, BenBella Books) Her simple, but powerful thesis: “Feeling loved depends on our ability to...
by Harper West | Oct 6, 2015 | Emotional Intelligence
I highly recommend Linda Kohanov’s book “The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing & Transformation through the Way of the Horse.” Kohanov, a leader in equine-assisted therapy, combines her personal experiences with emotional trauma, horse training insights,...
