by Harper West | Dec 28, 2015 | Mindfulness
When most people think of meditation, they imagine sitting crosslegged with their eyes closed for long periods of time. However, research shows that other types of meditation can also be effective, maybe even just as effective. Sitting quietly for 20 or more minutes...
by Harper West | Dec 23, 2015 | Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, Shame
I recently attended a 6-day retreat and seminar on Mindful Self-Compassion led by Kristen Neff, PhD, and Christopher Germer, PhD, two of the leading authors and researchers on the topic. I am grateful to have had such a relaxing personal experience and opportunity for...
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,...
by Harper West | Jul 20, 2015 | Relationships
I had a patient describe her husband as someone who bites his tongue for days about an issue, then becomes angry at her out of the blue. I said: “Oh, he is afraid of conflict,” and she looked at me quizzically. “But he gets angry and we fight. He seems to like...
by Harper West | Jun 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
When one or both members of a relationship have a lack of assertiveness it can lead to relationship problems. In the short term, not speaking up may feel like a good solution. Unassertive people have good intentions: “If I don’t say anything negative or speak up, it...
