The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By: Brian Murray, LMHC  If you are feeling stuck in life, your relationships, marriage, or career it may be time to do some existential work. Existentialism attempts to answer the bigger questions in life such as what is the meaning and purpose of my life? Trying to figure out who we are and where we are going are questions that have stood the test of time. From ancient philosophers to modern day thinkers, people are challenged daily to make choices of what kind of life they want to live. If the choices we make are not useful, we are challenged to examine ourselves. This examined life is to better understand our individual identity and how to live a life well lived. This is no easy task, and it can take decades, or a lifetime, to try and figure out our own personal puzzle. Existentialism in counseling is a philosophical approach that implies that we are free and therefore responsible for our actions and choices. We are the authors of our lives and we design the pathways w...

 By: Brian Murray, LMHC Family time during the holidays can be a fun and special time for the family. Relationships can bring joy, but they can also be difficult. For the family who experiences someone who is narcissistic, or some other kind of manipulator this time can be especially difficult.   Narcissism, also known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder, is a mental health disorder that is very difficult for family members to be around. Their self-centered, arrogant, and haughty attitudes can make other family members withdraw or feel compelled to challenge the negativity. This often results in arguments and disruption of family cohesion. This often plays right into the narcissist’s personality as they often create confusion and chaos to feel like they are in control. The reason for this is due to an internal lack of self-esteem. People who are confident with themselves don’t have this need to stir up other people’s emotions. This dramatic swirling of emotions, confusion...

By: Brian Murray LMHC Narcissists have a unique way of looking at the world. Their way of thinking and perceiving is different than almost 90% of the world around them so they can be hard to understand and even more difficult to love. Their emotions can become intense and out of proportion with the situation they are faced with due to their skewed perceptions and beliefs. Because of these underlying deviations from cultural expectations, their behavior comes across as arrogant, boastful, intense and they have difficulty with interpersonal functioning. These enduring patterns are lifelong and can usually be traced back to adolescent or even childhood. Narcissist behaviors are inflexible, lack empathy and have a strong need for admiration. Even if they haven’t done anything to deserve special recognition, they still expect to be treated as such. Some people who are not savvy to the ways of a narcissist may challenge the narcissistic behaviors and this is where trouble b...