It is not surprising that parents want to bring out the best in their children, and children want to please their parents. What becomes complicated is that too often parents “selectively mirror” those traits in their children that they most want to develop, and...
David Olsen
Is a “dark passenger” driving your life and hurting your relationships?
In the award winning show Dexter, Dexter appears to be a very nice, somewhat nerdy detective who has what he calls a “dark passenger”. His “dark passenger” is the fact that he is actually a serial killer with a particular code. He only takes out very bad people, in...
New Year! New You? Maybe…
Most New Year’s resolutions have a short shelf life. Gym memberships soar in January, only to be relatively empty by mid-February. Diet plans and self-help programs often start strong but have limited success, and the “wisdom” of social media offers no shortage of...
Longing for Spring Renewal
After what has felt like a long, cold winter, spring is slowly trying to make an appearance. Moods begin to lift as the days grow longer and a few warm days sneak in. Our thoughts drift toward yard work, blooming flowers, budding trees, outdoor barbecues, and more...
A Helpful Guide to Holiday Gift Giving
December can be a stressful time, filled with the “joys” of holiday shopping. You’re likely inundated with holiday catalogs and countless emails about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You find yourself checking lists for loved ones, comparing them to the endless ideas...
Halloween Masks and Relational Intimacy
It’s that time again! Soon the neighborhood will be swarming with miniature ghosts, goblins, witches and assorted monsters in search of Halloween candy. For children, and even some adolescents and adults, putting on halloween masks and costumes is fun. It can be...
Has your relationship become stagnant? Does it need relationship renewal?
Does life ever begin to feel flat and, at times, boring? Has your intimate relationship become stagnant? It is all too easy to fall into a rut both individually and relationally. The late psychoanalyst Erik Erikson was best known for his description of psychosocial...
Who Are You? (Part 1)
What you can focus on to survive this shut down/quarantine in tact.
Spring Clean-up Part 2: Time for pruning – life is short!
Reflecting on spring’s arrival and the fleeting nature of life, prioritize what truly matters. Prune distractions to live meaningfully and intentionally.









