You yourself are your own obstacle, rise above yourself (Hafez) In my last blog: Welcome It All (see blog: DavidRosslcsw.com) I suggest an alternative to seeing life through the lens of a series of problems to solve.  Referencing and appreciating the wisdom of Rumi, the 13th century poet, and mystic.  His poem ‘The Guest House’ […]

The Guest House: This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness. Some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows Who violently sweep your house Empty of its furniture. Still, treat each guest honorably. […]

I am always unlucky in life Always stuck on the bad side Always feeling all the pain And always in some discomfort I am the victim of heartbreak I am the victim of loneliness I am the victim of harassment I do not enjoy being the victim No one does (Brett W., 2016) Introduction: The […]

Moving closer and closer to the November election, we are observing a potential crisis situation in which the president refuses to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose the election. Paradoxically, the president is a teacher in showing us how not to be.  In line with these current events, ‘allowing’ is the […]

In this fourth pre-election message I recommend two powerful practices to help you manage feelings of stress, worry and anxiety: Stay present and grounded in this ‘now’ moment. Practice on-going moment to moment gratitude repeating a mantra of ‘thank you’ recalling all that you are grateful for.     To emphasize the power of these two […]

As we move closer to the November election we mourn the death and loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the resulting vulnerability to a more balanced Supreme Court.  Along with her loss and deep gratitude for her service, we are experiencing multiple national crises; health, economic, employment, climate, racial, foreign interference, and destructive leadership bringing […]

As a clinical social worker and psychotherapist in private practice, I am sending you this message to share my clinical perspective and thoughts on the current events, the multiple crisis and most importantly to encourage and give recommendations for self-care. Needless to say, this is a critical and anxiety-producing time in our nation as we […]

At the invitation of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy–Hawaii:  I had the pleasure of being the keynote speaker and presenter at the 2013 Maui Annual MFT Conference.  My address, “Developing the Art of Psychotherapy” focused on the personal work of the therapist to explore and transform the counter-transference material between themselves and […]

We very often assume that co dependency (enmeshment/care-taking) only applies to adult children of alcoholics.  It can happen in any family and does.  In fact, co dependency is perhaps the most common form of individual and family dysfunction.  It is pervasive and yet is very often unrecognized.  Examples of co dependency/ enmeshment include: controlling or […]