An American Experience of Death and Grief || By Lisa Martinez MA, ERYT 200-RYT 500

I have written posts in this series on various cultural approaches to death: Japanese rituals, Mexican/Meso-American rituals, Celtic rituals, Nigerian rituals, and Samoan/Pacific Islander rituals. I’m sure I could fill years with different posts covering rituals from thousands of other major cultures.  Across the 195 recognized countries in the world, ethnologists and anthropologists have estimated…

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The Myth of Escalator Sex || By TJ Dubovich MFTC

In the realm of sexuality, there is a pervasive myth that suggests desire should always be like an escalator, consistently and predictably moving upwards. This idea implies that if you and your partner are truly compatible, you should effortlessly slide into a state of continuous, unending desire. Not only that but once you both have…

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Hugs Interrupted || By Annabelle Denmark, MA, LPCC

For most people, a hug can feel soothing, caring, and wonderful. Hugs help regulate the nervous system and help people feel connected. For some, however, hugs can feel overwhelming and claustrophobic. Non-huggers are individuals who usually don’t hug to greet others, or to show affection. There is a continuum of non-huggers, from those who feel…

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Writing Your Trauma: Why, How, & When || By Rev. Mary Coday Edwards, MA

Why Write About Your Pain? Your stories have healing potential—for yourself and others. However, don’t make yourself miserable telling them and then block or stop the project. How To Write Telling your trauma can be triggering. You’re opening yourself up to being seen—by the public or a critical eye. Some trauma survivors unconsciously associate “being…

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Are you ready for ENM? Food for Thought on Opening up Your Relationship || By Tristan (TJ) Dubovich, Affordable Counseling Intern for People House

ENM or ethical non-monogamy, otherwise known as polyamory, has increased in visibility as a relationship style for individuals in recent years. A February 2023 YouGov poll finds that one-third of Americans (34%) describe their ideal relationship as something other than complete monogamy (Sanders, 2023). With this increase in visibility and practice of polyamory, there are…

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