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
Counselor Corner: Daily Self-Compassion and Affirmations, Part 1
Recently, while wandering the meditation centers of Missoula, I came across a guide to “Daily Dharma,” which was a short list of practices for Buddhists or people interested in Buddhism to improve their lives in small, approachable chunks. I thought I could modify that to be helpful for a broader audience. So, while these suggestions are inspired by modernized versions of Buddhism, they should be useful to everyone. To begin,
Counseling Corner: Finding Myself at 18: A Journey Through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Life is a kaleidoscope of experiences, a mosaic of highs and lows. At 18, an age synonymous with new beginnings and the brink of adulthood, I found myself drowning in the tumultuous sea of alcoholism. My story isn't about the depths to which I plunged but rather the lighthouse that guided me back to myself: Alcoholics Anonymous in Missoula. The Prelude While most of my peers were navigating the tumultuous
Counselor Corner: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT
A Glimpse Inside My World: Living with Borderline Personality Disorder "It's a bit like waking up every morning and having to piece together who I am. Some days, the image is clear. On others, it’s like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing. Mornings can be deceptive. I might awaken with a surge of optimism, feeling invincible. The sun seems brighter, the world full of endless
Counseling Corner: Plain and Simple: Borrowing Buddha’s Wisdom
Whenever I reflect on the fact that I was able to earn a Ph.D. in Buddhist studies, living in England and India along the way and later teaching in the US and Hong Kong, I cannot help but feel incredibly fortunate. There was a time when I really thought Buddhism was the best religion (or philosophy, psychology, or way of life) out there. But over the years I have also