by Harper West | Aug 26, 2021 | Relationships
One of my local radio stations has a morning show feature called Dealbreakers, where they have one person call in to complain about a partner and seek advice about whether this complaint is a dealbreaker worth ending the relationship over. I heard one show...
by Harper West | Aug 24, 2021 | Narcissist, Other-Blamer
If you’ve ever argued with a narcissist you know how maddening it can be. Every logical or factual approach seems to go nowhere and, in fact, seems to make them more angry and defensive. In contrast, explaining your point of view a relationship with an emotionally...
by Harper West | Aug 23, 2021 | Self-Compassion, Shame
I was working with a patient on how to stop ruminating when he said something that was very insightful and perfectly described the process of how to be more compassionate to yourself. Like many people, Ashok (not his real name) ruminated about his past mistakes...
by Harper West | Aug 22, 2021 | Shame, Trauma
Some people are so well practiced at feeling guilty that they feel guilty when they don’t feel guilty. What do I mean by this riddle? Let’s consider a scenario of a young woman, Charlotte (fictionalized account) who has been estranged from her grandfather for years....
by Harper West | Aug 22, 2021 | Parenting, Shame
Aliesha, 9, had reluctantly followed her parents from the waiting room into my office and slumped into a chair. Her parents immediately launched into a description of her latest behaviors and their concerns about how this would cause her to flunk a grade and be held...