Kellevision

Why a Therapist is Against the Death Penalty

A therapist against the death penalty?  I'm sure no one is shocked by this.  We are famous for being flaming liberals.  However, my primary objection to the death penalty may not be what you suppose, i.e. that criminals can be rehabilitated.  I do not believe that people like John Wayne Gacy or Ted Bundy could have been rehabilitated.  However, I still do not think we should have been given a death penalty.  Why?

The Art of Trauma

If you want to know what is going on in a child's mind, the best thing to do is hand them a crayon, not talk to them.

Someone I Love is Dying

And I cry.

"Grief is Love's Unwillingness to Let Go"

I don't know where I originally saw this or who said it.  If you know, please enlighten me so I can give them proper credit.  Whoever said it, I think it is truly beautiful. 

Just Cry When You're Sad

"But I don't want to be weak", he said.

The Man of the House

Once again I watched as an 8 year boy (with a 10 year old sister and a 6 year old brother) was told he was now "the man of the house" and "you have to look out for your mom, brother and sister now".  His father and mother have divorced and this advice was coming for a seemingly well-intentioned adult, but it made my hair curl.  Why?

Helping the "Helpless"

This article is a response to a question posted on Intent.com, "How do We Help the Helpless?"  Since I work with homeless families in a homeless shelter everyday, this question raised strong emotions for me.  The word "helpless" hit me right between the eyes.  Why?

How to Help Someone Grieve

A client, who recently lost a brother, asked me how she could help her mother who was still grieving the loss of her son.  It was an excellent question.  American culture does not teach us how to grieve.  A not-so-uncommon approach is to go to the doctor and get an antidepressant to avoid feeling the pain.  But this only delays the inevitable.  It does not help you to grieve.  And it does not help the person you care about to grieve and move on.  How do you help another person grieve in a healthy way?