Leslie Kays MFT

Complicated bereavement … Everything looks and feels very different to me now. I now understand the concept of “finishing business” with people while they are still alive…if you have the opportunity to do so. It is common to hear that we should always remember to tell our loved ones that we love them because you actually never know…right? From my perspective now, I’m thinking it’s equally important to finish more complicated business with people with whom we have had more difficult times. It will save you from a more “complicated bereavement when they die. Read more..… https://buff.ly/3oC4OyL

How to Talk to Your Child About Gun Violence and School Shootings

7 Tips for Talking to Kids About Gun Violence and School Shootings Talking with kids about school shootings is not an easy conversation, but it is an important one. Find how best to broach the subject with your kids.

You don't really get to choose who you fall in love with. Love chooses you. - Brad Pitt

As the holidays approach in the time of Covid, I’m discovering that I have similar feelings of wanting to escape…to just “go away”. I’m aware that these holidays will not be the same. There will likely be no large gatherings of friends and family, and no physical contact. Read more... https://buff.ly/3uCMTHN

How Hope Can Keep You Happier and Healthier

How Hope Can Keep You Happier and Healthier Hope is more than just positive thinking.

That which is done out of love is always beyond good and evil. - Friedrich Nietzsche

To develop patience, in times like we are in now, I would also suggest the practice of remembering. Try remembering all of the many things you have accomplished in your life and how it often takes time. Remember the old adage, “All good things come to those who wait”. Read more..… https://buff.ly/3zpBiPb

What doctors wish patients knew about pandemic fatigue

What doctors wish patients knew about pandemic fatigue Feelings of stress, social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to what experts are calling COVID fatigue. Find out more.

Take your time. Love is gonna come. Don't force it. Don't try to make it happen. Relax, take your time, and you'll know what it's there. My mom gave me that advice. - Victor Cruz

For a number of years after my mother died I found myself dreading the winter holiday season. When I was growing up, the “Christmas” season at my house was always a big deal so I had many warm and nurturing memories of that time of year. Then when my mother was gone , my instinct was to avoid all reminders of the season…including all the festive decorations and allusions to “The most wonderful time of the year” I wanted to escape and go “numb” Unfortunately, “going numb” was exactly what happened. I discovered that when I shut down feelings of grief and loss, I also shut down the possibility of feeling anything at all. I began to feel empty and lonely. Eventually I dealt with my grief, and I “reimagined” the holiday season. Read more... https://buff.ly/3uCMTHN

How to recognize gaslighting and respond to it
https://buff.ly/3EpTrQ0

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leap fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. - Maya Angelou

When we are surrounded with quality relationships, we live longer and happier lives. What is sometimes overlooked though, is that we must also strive to have a healthy relationship with ourselves. Read more..… https://buff.ly/2Wh2gtM

8 ways to feel less anxious about things beyond your control

Advice | 8 ways to feel less anxious about things beyond your control How to feel less anxious and hopeless about climate change, the war in Ukraine and other things beyond your control.

I think it's always best to be who you are.- Halle Berry

What is a Toxic Relationship? – 8 Types of Toxic Relationships and Their Signs

What is a Toxic Relationship? Signs of Toxic Relationships What does it mean when a relationship is toxic - and how do you know when you're in one? We asked a doctor to shed light on toxic relationships and their signs.

If you're with the right person, it brings out the best version of you. - Beyonce

It never works to make your forgiveness contingent on the other person’s apology. (You may think they “owe you” an apology”) For one thing, they may never feel they need to apologize. For another thing, this means you are giving the other person power over your timing and your process. Take your power back. Read more..…

Forgive And Remember Perhaps the most important part of re-emerging from our “caves” now that the pandemic restrictions are lifting is reconnecting with friends and family. Many people have commented to me in recent weeks that they have come to a new understanding … Continue reading →

Toxic Relationships
https://buff.ly/3HLKbqB

You may never be good enough for everybody, but you will always be the best for somebody. - Rihanna

For a number of years after my mother died I found myself dreading the winter holiday season. When I was growing up, the “Christmas” season at my house was always a big deal so I had many warm and nurturing memories of that time of year. Then when my mother was gone , my instinct was to avoid all reminders of the season…including all the festive decorations and allusions to “The most wonderful time of the year” I wanted to escape and go “numb” Unfortunately, “going numb” was exactly what happened. I discovered that when I shut down feelings of grief and loss, I also shut down the possibility of feeling anything at all. I began to feel empty and lonely. Eventually I dealt with my grief, and I “reimagined” the holiday season. Read more...

Navigating The “Holiday Blues” In Uncertain Times For a number of years after my mother died I found myself dreading the winter holiday season. When I was growing up, the “Christmas” season at my house was always a big deal so I had many warm and nurturing … Continue reading →

Selfishness vs self love – What’s the difference?

Selfishness vs self love – What's the difference? Ever been called selfish for choosing yourself? In this blog post we're going to be talking about the difference between selfishness vs self love.

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are exprecting to give - which is everything. - Katharine Hepburn

Just as we have survived many crises in the past, much of the world (not all) is now emerging slowly out of the covid pandemic. We abided by “shelter in place” and masking directives, and we have learned to connect via video devices. However, we have also “learned”, I would argue, that we should fear large indoor gatherings…including family gatherings. So what can we do? We want to get back into life again, but we are scared. Here are some thoughts on the subject: Read more..… https://buff.ly/3jCkSOq

Building Courage in Kids – How to Teach Kids to Be Brave

Building Courage in Kids - How to Teach Kids to Be Brave - Hey Sigmund Building Courage in Kids , there are many things that lead to success and happiness, but one of the most powerful of these is courage. Visit our page.

Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it. - Nicholas Sparks

Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit. - Khalil TGibran