Meeting the Challenge of Polarization through Restorative Conversations
Discover this skill-building communication exercise where individuals can approach many conflictual situations with conviction and confidence. Drawing from the Restorative Justice Movement, this technique illustrates how to set limits with injustice while simultaneously offering an invitation of compassion in the service of reconciliation and connection.
The Difference Between Healthy Pride and Narcissistic Grandiosity
Most of us are drawn to or fascinated by successful people. It creates a sense of hopefulness and possibility, a belief that success is attainable, even for those who struggle with confidence or the lack of opportunity. So, how do we tell the difference between healthy pride/ambition and grandiose narcissism?
Podcast Featuring Dr. Patricia Gianotti Released on NPR
Announcing a recent podcast featuring Dr. Patricia Gianotti on the Earth and Spirit Podcast: NPR. Patricia Gianotti works with clients around issues related to trauma, shame, and narcissism and is the founder of the Center for Spiritual Integration.
Discovering the Light That Shines Within
The gathering of the family during the holidays has long been a celebrated tradition rooted in both social and emotional factors. Nevertheless, the expectation for family members to reconnect, strengthen, and/or renew bonds is a strong force that often creates internal pressure – feelings of hope and anticipation coupled with anxiety, ambivalence, guilt, and fear of disappointment.
Shyness, Introversion, and Social Anxiety – What’s the Difference?
Shyness, introversion, and social anxiety are terms that have long been confused. While social anxiety is a clinical diagnosis, introversion is actually a personality trait, an aspect of one’s temperament.
Reflections on Goodbyes and New Beginnings
October heralds a change of seasons and new beginnings as we complete the final in-person, three-day residency of our yearlong certificate program at The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy at Loyola University Chicago.
Jack Danielian IAP Scholarship Fund
The Institute is in the process of creating the Jack Danielian IAP Scholarship Fund. The goal is to provide increased accessibility for advanced clinical training to qualified applicants.
Suspending Judgment
It’s little things that come up in casual conversation that often surprise you and catch you off guard. Changing your opinion about someone can make you realize that the assumptions you made may have been too dismissive.
A Secure Connection to Family Helps Us Weather the Storms of Life
During those times in life when disappointment makes us feel helpless and vulnerable, drawing upon early memories of having a safe, secure connection to family helps us weather the storms of life.
The Importance of Understanding Loyalty Contracts
How does someone break free of an internalized system of beliefs, feelings, reactions, and expectations that were created and deeply rooted in early parent-child interactions?
How We Perceive Aging
The PBS program entitled “Sages of Aging,” features 12 experts in the field of aging coming together to discuss the state of aging in America and discuss the state of aging in America and how we perceive aging.
The Idea of Loyalty
Examining the idea of loyalty and framing that understanding through the lens of, “Loyalty Contracts.”
How Cultural Marginalization Enforces Unfair Loyalty Contracts
In Patricia Gianotti’s third book, Embracing Therapeutic Complexity, she talks about the powerful grip that unfair loyalty contracts have on people throughout their life span.
The Definition of Narcissism
A working definition of narcissism begins by inviting people to pause, and think about narcissism as a condition of vulnerability or injury, rather than thinking about narcissism as a “diagnosis.”
The Glorification of Greed
What do we think will eventually happen when the increasing disparity between the haves and the have-nots creates a greater divide around what it is that we think we’re owed?
Finding the Love of Your Life
It’s every single person’s wish, and every divorced person’s regret that they didn’t hold out for Mr./Mrs. Right. When it comes to relationships, the American Dream offers the promise that it’s possible to find the love of your life.
Should You Always Trust Your Feelings?
As a psychologist who is in the business of helping people understand their feelings, you might be surprised by my answer to this question. Should you always trust your feelings? My answer is…
Let’s Stop Using Narcissism As a Four-Letter Word
Have you noticed that the word narcissist has morphed into a term of derision and contempt that is easily thrown around at will? But how many people really understand where the term comes from or what it means?
When I’m Disappointed...
Disappointments happen in life. If we’re smart, we can learn from them. With enough distance, disappointments that initially feel crushing often turn out to be life lessons.
What Motivates Us at Work and In Life
As we begin another new year, a time when most of us pledge to make efforts in hopes of improving our lives, it might make sense to consider some of the important external factors that have a direct influence on our personal satisfaction and well-being.