Blog

Life can be amazing, wonderful and exciting. But it can also be scary, emotional and downright challenging. Both these parts of life cause STRESS.

If I close my eyes and remember a morning I spent collecting seashells while on a family trip years ago, I can vividly recall the faded pink plastic bucket I carried, see the colorful shells scattered like tossed confetti all around me, feel the sensations of cool, wet sand under my feet, and of gravity tugging lightly on my ankles from the angled beach. I can hear the sound of waves, as rhythmic as breathing, and the impatient cries of gulls. I can enjoy the contrast of warm sunshine and cool breezes on my skin, and can smell seawater, fish, and sunblock. When lived, these experiences together produced a feeling of pure contentment and peace.

It is hard to come through the door the first time you see a therapist. It just is. I hear it described in different but similar ways, and it is often tracked back to the same thing...shame. "I should be able to do this on my own", "I'm a private person.", "Why can't I figure this out?", "Will I see anyone I know?"

This post chronicles my (Collin Lodico, Ph.D.) unexpected, immediate and extended medical leave last November which meant I had to suddenly cancel all my appointments. I am happy to announce that my condition has improved over the last month to the point that I am going to resume working, gradually building up my hours. As many of you have surmised, the last few months have been the most challenging times of my life, but they have also impacted my perspective.