Author: Frieda

We are Mental, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Beings

There are four levels to us human beings, actually probably more that I am not even aware of.  But I am going to address the levels that I know and think about. What I know to be true is that when we are out of balance, all of our different levels seem to do more

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Dear Therapists, I Have Something to Share With You: Working With Personality Disorders

If you have a client that you feel stuck with, have feelings of irritation,  feel manipulated by, could  mean that  you are working with someone with a personality disorder.  These clients generally have issues with important relationships and can sometimes have problems keeping a job. These clients usually have trauma backgrounds.  They could have been

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The Holidays Are Almost Here!

Some people really dread the beginning of the holiday season.  It feels stressful, and sometimes brings up old feelings from those childhood years of scenes from hell or scenes of indifference.  People can feel like they have to recreate a beautiful holiday memory every year and work too hard to create it so that they

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Grief and Healing

Time is one of the healers of our hearts’ wounds   As we move through stormy days and months the repairs begin   Through our pain nature moves in stitching our hearts back togetther   We start to see color around us   Is it really ok for us to work and play?   Sometimes

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Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Santa Rosa Counseling, What If? Regrets About Life Choices

In the early hours of the morning or at other times of the day, do you wonder, what if?  Do you think gee,  if  I only took that job, went to another school, got a higher education, tried harder in high school, didn’t get engaged so young then, my life would be so much better.

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Frieda L. Ferrick, Santa Rosa Counseling: Grieving the Loss of a Child

There is no loss as shocking and devastating as the death of one’s child.  It is a war of the senses and your whole world is turned upside down  You will not be the person you were. The grief that wells up is deep and primal. There can be a feeling of injustice and unfairness.

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Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Santa Rosa Counseling: Some Thoughts About The Importance of Empathy

The definition of empathy is:  “Understanding what someone else is feeling because you have experienced it yourself or can put yourself in their shoes.” In order to have true empathy for others, I feel it is important to have empathy for yourself. Learning about what empathy is and becoming in tune with yourself can begin

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Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Santa Rosa Counseling: Grief That is Not Recognized

When a family member or friend dies, there is sadness and people can understand that you are grieving. When you go through life feeling alone, misunderstood, not acknowledged, you can feel grief that is not recognized. Being unseen or not understood does not feel good.  It is as though people only see the outside of

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Frieda L. Ferrick, Santa Rosa Counseling: Did You Hope You Were Going To Be Married Only Once?

A difficult loss for many is going through a divorce.  The questions that you could be asking are endless: What happened? Weren’t we supposed to be together forever? Am I ever going to fall in love again? What am I going to do with my life? Let’s face it, going through divorce can feel devastating.

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Frieda L. Ferrick, Santa Rosa Counseling, Grief, Sadness and Being Stuck

When someone you love dies, in this life as we know it, that is the last time we see that person.  These huge losses change us forever.  We will never hear that loved one’s voice, hear them cry, sing, yell or laugh.  So where does that love go?  I believe that love is still in

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