Counselor Corner: Parenting Anxieties and Overcoming Dental Phobias
When my kindergarten daughter Regina excitedly told me about her first field trip to the woods, my heart simultaneously swelled with pride and seized with anxiety. This is a typical rite of passage for most kids - an adventure into nature to explore and learn. Yet, there's this not-so-typical part of me, the overprotective dad part, that imagined all the things that could go wrong. And yes, I think of
Counselor Corner: World’s Happiest Man Shares Keys to Joy, Part 1
When Mattieu Ricard’s book “Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill” came out in hardcover in 2006, I quickly organized a book club to study it. I had finished my master’s degree in Buddhist Studies and taught for a year at the University of Montana in Missoula and had a small group of student/friends eager to dive in with me. Just before the book came out, Ricard took
Counselor Corner: Navigating the Cold and Flu Season with Secret Techniques
The cold and flu season knocked at our door unexpectedly this week. Our lovely Regina, who had just embarked on her first week in Kindergarten, unknowingly ushered in the seasonal sniffles. A rite of passage for every student, I suppose. Being the resilient parent I strive to be, I initially thought I would be immune. After seeing Regina and then John under the weather, my inner voice declared, "Ah, these
Counselor Corner: Parenting a Child with ADHD
Sean's Story When Sean was little, everyone always noticed his boundless energy and insatiable curiosity. While most kids his age would sit and color or watch a movie, Sean would be climbing, jumping, and exploring every nook and cranny of the house. He was the boy who fidgeted constantly and seemed to be perpetually in motion, like a hummingbird darting from flower to flower. In school, Sean's teachers commented
Counselor Corner: Raising the Banner of Suicide Awareness in September
September is Suicide Awareness Month September brings with it not only the promise of cooler weather and the beauty of changing leaves, but also an important reminder of the silent struggles many people face daily. September is recognized as Suicide Awareness Month, and here at Sunflower Counseling, MT, we believe it's imperative to shed light on this critical topic. Personal Stories: A Ray of Hope Anna's Story: Anna, a resident
Counselor Corner: Daily Self-Compassion, Part 2
Today I’ll tackle part 2 of my list of daily self-compassion practices. These are borrowed from a modernized Buddhist list which, in turn, borrows from a wide variety of wisdom sources. As I noted in the last part, customizing this list to your own needs and goals will be important for each of us. Some ideas that you have now might not work for your friends and vice versa. And