Westside Notes — Summer 2012

“This is your time and it feels normal to you, but really, there is no normal. There's only change and resistance to it and then more change.”
— Meryl Streep (Barnard College Commencement 2010)

Welcome to the Summer issue of Westside Notes. I write to you at a time of personal transition as I prepare to move into a new living space. Transitions—big and small—can be a time of stress but also a time to expand our capacity for change and inviting new energy into our lives. With my upcoming relocation—same neighborhood, new place—it shifts my energy and provides a fresh, new lens to look at myself, my relationships and my community. I hope your summer season can be a time of mindful transitions, and most of all, a time of relaxation and play.

Celebrating Eddie Hunt, MFT

Speaking of transitions, I want to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate Eddie Hunt who recently received his marriage and family therapy license. Eddie has been a valuable part of my practice for the last few years, and I wish him all the best in moving forward as he expands his client base both in psychotherapy and recovery coaching. I'm also very pleased to say that Eddie will be staying on in the suite so we'll have the opportunity to share office space now as colleagues.

Interviewing New Associates

With Eddie completing his licensure, I'm now in the process of interviewing for a new associate / intern, and I'd love to hear from anyone who meets the following description:

Seeking unlicensed therapist (MSW or MFT intern) with background in addictions, trauma and groups. Prefer candidates with fewer than 1000 hours accrued toward licensure.

Facilitating Bridge to Recovery
Weekend Intensives

This past weekend my interns, Annabel Raymond, Maria Gray and myself helped facilitate the 2nd in a 6-part series of workshops. It was another powerful and therapeutic weekend focusing on family of origin patterns and how they affect our lives today. The 3rd workshop will be held again in Santa Barbara on September 20-22 and will focus on "Personal Boundaries." Please let me know if you have any questions, or simply call the Bridge to Recovery intake team at 877.866.8661.

Book Review by Maria Gray:
The Happiness Advantage

One of my favorite books is The Happiness Advantage written by Shawn Achor, a researcher who studied Positive Psychology at Harvard University. Achor draws on a wealth of research (including his own) to support the theory that happiness fuels success as opposed to success fueling happiness.