If I had a nickel for every time someone spent their therapy session on an argument over text messages, or how they recently discovered the guy they are currently engaged to changed his Facebook relationship status to “It’s complicated,” I’d be a wealthy woman.  People actually pay me to process with them their wild assumptions.  And when I ask, “Have you spoken to your friend that seemingly lashed out at you in a text to clarify what she meant?” or “Did you ask your fiancé about the change of status on his Facebook page?” I am often met with a blank stare…

Coming out of the closet is a very personal decision. When considering whether to come out, it is important to understand that this is a complicated process that continues to present itself throughout your life. There are three stages to coming out. The first step is coming out to yourself; accepting your sexuality as a natural and integral part of your identity. The second stage is coming out to others. Whether to family or friends or co-workers, it’s your responsibility to let them know what you want them to know about you. The third stage is living openly, which involves coming…

Many of us shy away from – if we don’t entirely avoid – conflict. Co-workers and friends, family members, even strangers can frustrate or anger us; they might hurt our feelings. Still we choose to keep it to ourselves for fear of igniting their anger, or perhaps we expect this person to dismiss our experience. The reality is that conflict is not a bad thing. It allows us to express our needs and to renegotiate a situation that no longer works for us. We can spend incalculable time and energy avoiding the task of addressing personal issues; in fact, the…