The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

 By: Dwight Bain, LMHC, NCC Been to the circus and seen the elephants? The domesticated ones are amazing to watch, but what about when an elephant isn’t tamed- what would happen then? (I saw a TV news story showing an elephant on rampage literally tossing cars around like small toys and chasing hundreds of people down the street… terrifying). Elephants are the largest living animals walking on earth at 13 feet tall weighing up to 15,000 pounds who can destroy about anything, Domesticated elephants can add great value, but a wild elephant can leave a path of destruction in its path. There is an old saying that some families have an elephant in the room; meaning there are some huge issues no one is willing to talk about. Yet, just like having a mini-van parked in the living room, everyone else can see it. Psychologists call this dysfunction, but if you are living through it you know it's totally discouraging, disheartening and sometimes even dangerous… like a wild elephant on ...

By: Christine Hammond, LMHC, NCC It was clear that after 7 years of marriage, Jack and Jill still loved each other. But the way they solved problems, or rather, the way they didn’t solve problems, was destroying their marriage. The last argument ended in a physical altercation and a wrestling match that left them ashamed and humiliated. Neither had ever engaged in this manner before so the shock of how quickly they escalated took them by surprise. Jack and Jill lived in an upper middle-class neighborhood with their two preschool kids. They came from stable families, had satisfying careers, and enjoyed spending time together as a family. But years of pent-up unresolved issues came bubbling to the surface over a minor dishwasher loading offense that resulted in broken dishes and a tumble on the floor. Committed to never allow this to happen again, they willingly came into therapy. The first agreement was to establish new rules for engagement going forward. Instead of ca...

By: Chris Hammond, MS, IMH To sleep, or not to sleep—that is the question: Whether it is better for the mind to ponder The outrageous thoughts and dreams Or to tackle the sea of problems And by challenging end them. To wake, to sleep— Which one— Yes, which one. It is some ridiculous hour when by all logic you should be sound asleep yet you find yourself wide awake for reasons beyond your understanding. So what do you do? Do you lie in bed trying to get to sleep? Do you get up and do some work? Do you turn on the TV in an attempt to distract your thoughts? Or do you wake up someone up to help you go back to sleep? Which to choose? “It appears that every man's insomnia is as different from his neighbour's as are their daytime hopes and aspirations.” F. Scott Fitzgerald realized that one solution may work for you but may not work for your friends. You are different in personalities, dreams and experiences from others and even at times your personality, dreams and exper...