Foster Teen: 'I Needed Emotional Support, Not Medication'

Locked in a Psychiatric Ward; Forced to take meds he doesn't need.

"The next stop we made was a psychiatric hospital for kids. We went through door after door, and it dawned on me that every door had a lock. Once the door shut you couldn’t open it. The doors locked you in. They intended to keep me here. That realization gave me a panic attack. I started running and the security tackled me. I was forcibly dragged in."

How Effective is Your Marriage Therapy?

Here's a set of questions to help you figure out if your therapist is giving you what you need to end up with a truly strong and loving partnership.

Generosity Essential to Fulfilling Relationships

The Generous Marriage

By TARA PARKER-POPE

December 8, 2011, 7:00 AM

"Men and women with the highest scores on the generosity scale were far more likely to report that they were “very happy” in their marriages. The benefits of generosity were particularly pronounced among couples with children. Among the parents who posted above-average scores for marital generosity, about 50 percent reported being “very happy” together. Among those with lower generosity scores, only about 14 percent claimed to be “very happy,” according to the latest “State of Our Unions” report from the National Marriage Project."

Does Cooperation Really Matter in Marriage?

Does Cooperation Really Matter in Marriage? Learning cooperative marriage skills predicts a lasting marriage. 
Published on November 10, 2011 
by Susan Heitler, Ph.D. in Resolution, Not Conflict

How a dog can help your autistic child

How a dog can help your autistic child

Isolation for Rejuvenation, uncomfortable and profound

Getting Far, Far Away From It All

By HILARY STOUT

Published: December 2, 2011

Above is a link to a great intro article to the growing practice of isolating retreats. A wonderful read. 

One aspect that catches my attention is that much of what is described here is similar to what people tend to imagine their vacations will be. Truth is, vacations are seldom calm, isolated, awareness and mindfulness building affairs. Even when it's to a far-flung, desolate beach. 

This is no vacation. This is hard work. As is stated in the article, it is troubling and challenging to separate. It can be disorienting, even physiologically. It shifts world-views, relationships and perspectives. 

And the rapprochement can be delicate, if not strained, returning to old routines, past relationships with new scaffolding, efforts to re-shape them on re-discovered, or newly discovered needs.