Meaningful You

Suicide

Quiz: Will I be Safer if I Buy a Gun?

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on November 13, 2013

After every school shooting, movie house, or mall massacre, there is a jump in the number of gun sales. But does gun ownership really make you safer in your home?

After every school shooting, movie house, or mall massacre, there is a jump in the number of gun sales. But does gun ownership really make you safer in your home?

Spirituality

The Shaming Language of Spirituality

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on October 23, 2013

Gandhi says, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." If you can't forgive, this comes off as "Dude, even Gandhi thinks I suck!" Based on your history and experience, even the wisest words can ring untrue.

Gandhi says, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." If you can't forgive, this comes off as "Dude, even Gandhi thinks I suck!" Based on your history and experience, even the wisest words can ring untrue.

Anxiety

How to Overcome Sports Performance Anxiety

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on September 23, 2013

Sports performance anxieties appear to exist outside of us but, in truth, are projections of what could’ve, should’ve or would’ve happened to us during childhood. Here is how to defend against these phantoms from your past so they don’t influence your present.

Sports performance anxieties appear to exist outside of us but, in truth, are projections of what could’ve, should’ve or would’ve happened to us during childhood. Here is how to defend against these phantoms from your past so they don’t influence your present.

Pornography

The Hidden Wisdom of Porn Addiction

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on September 9, 2013

It’s easy to mock or brush aside the topic, but porn is a ten billion-dollar business in our country—bigger than the NFL, the NBA, and Major League Baseball combined.

It’s easy to mock or brush aside the topic, but porn is a ten billion-dollar business in our country—bigger than the NFL, the NBA, and Major League Baseball combined.

Codependency

"Codependent" No More?

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on July 26, 2013

Due in part to the sound-biting and Twitterization of our culture, the word "codependent" has become a catchphrase rather than a description of a relational pattern or process. It has also become a cliché.

Due in part to the sound-biting and Twitterization of our culture, the word "codependent" has become a catchphrase rather than a description of a relational pattern or process. It has also become a cliché.

Depression

The Cycle of Emotional Eating

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on June 29, 2013

Through the experience of nursing and feeding, food and love are paired from birth. Now when you feel stressed out or upset, you may feel hungry. So you eat something. But the hunger you're experiencing isn't physical, it’s emotional.

Through the experience of nursing and feeding, food and love are paired from birth. Now when you feel stressed out or upset, you may feel hungry. So you eat something. But the hunger you're experiencing isn't physical, it’s emotional.

Addiction

The Relational Roots of Addiction

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on June 24, 2013

If early relationships with caregivers failed to help a child learn to regulate, drugs can help that person feel temporarily "normal".

If early relationships with caregivers failed to help a child learn to regulate, drugs can help that person feel temporarily "normal".

Narcissism

Narcissism: The Misunderstood Epidemic

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on June 20, 2013

Do we really hold a shared understanding of the meaning of narcissism? Is there a part of this psychological construction that remains beyond our grasp? As those in our public trust disappoint us with their missteps, many of us are left wondering, “What is happening to the American psyche?”

Do we really hold a shared understanding of the meaning of narcissism? Is there a part of this psychological construction that remains beyond our grasp? As those in our public trust disappoint us with their missteps, many of us are left wondering, “What is happening to the American psyche?”

Cognition

Thinking About Thinking May Help At-Risk Children

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on May 18, 2013

A child with high "mentalization" has space to consider his models from all sides, compare and contrast them, and choose how near or far to “stand” from them.

A child with high "mentalization" has space to consider his models from all sides, compare and contrast them, and choose how near or far to “stand” from them.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis in the Age of "Just Do It"

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on May 3, 2013

Human activity has three dimensions: thought, feeling, and action. The implication of “Just Do It” is that thought and feeling are to be ignored in favor of action. The Nike revolution deletes two of the three spheres of human experience, and judging from shoes sales, little is so irresistible to Americans.

Human activity has three dimensions: thought, feeling, and action. The implication of “Just Do It” is that thought and feeling are to be ignored in favor of action. The Nike revolution deletes two of the three spheres of human experience, and judging from shoes sales, little is so irresistible to Americans.

Sport and Competition

Turning On (and Off!) the Athlete Self

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on April 17, 2013

Parents, coaches, athletes and sports psychologists tend to focus on training the athlete self without mentioning it can be a dark and powerful magic. Just as turning it on allows us to compete, turning off the athlete self allows us to exist outside competition.

Parents, coaches, athletes and sports psychologists tend to focus on training the athlete self without mentioning it can be a dark and powerful magic. Just as turning it on allows us to compete, turning off the athlete self allows us to exist outside competition.

Mating

Dating Tips for Single Parents

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on April 12, 2013

Many single parents convince themselves they are better off only dipping a toe in dating, or they deny and minimize their fears, which can lead to a reckless plunge.

Many single parents convince themselves they are better off only dipping a toe in dating, or they deny and minimize their fears, which can lead to a reckless plunge.

Alcoholism

Breaking the Silence

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on March 25, 2013

There was a time, not so long ago, when doctors — and the public alike — believed that we should not tell or discuss a terminal prognosis with a patient. It was a time when housewife alcoholism, nervous breakdowns, ethnic prejudice, serious depressions, and suicidal behaviors were not spoken about out loud. It was the time of my childhood.

There was a time, not so long ago, when doctors — and the public alike — believed that we should not tell or discuss a terminal prognosis with a patient. It was a time when housewife alcoholism, nervous breakdowns, ethnic prejudice, serious depressions, and suicidal behaviors were not spoken about out loud. It was the time of my childhood.

Resilience

Without Failure, There Is No Success

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on February 1, 2013

Chad Pennington asks, "How can you truly know what success is, if you’ve never experienced failure?" This post shows how to encourage positive failure on the path to success.

Chad Pennington asks, "How can you truly know what success is, if you’ve never experienced failure?" This post shows how to encourage positive failure on the path to success.

Self-Esteem

Don’t Tell Me to Stop Training!

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on January 24, 2013

Our bodies speak volumes. Start listening! And maybe, it’s time to consider that “less may be more” and will result in better performances, greater enjoyment and more time to nurture multiple sources of self esteem.

Our bodies speak volumes. Start listening! And maybe, it’s time to consider that “less may be more” and will result in better performances, greater enjoyment and more time to nurture multiple sources of self esteem.

Media

Your Facebook Self

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on January 8, 2013

Because so often many of our “friends” rarely if ever come face to face with us or even converse with us verbally, we can craft an idealized image and present it to the world as complete reality. We post ourselves, smiling and engaged, using only the best, most flattering photographs, crafting an idealized image and presenting it to the world as a complete reality.

Because so often many of our “friends” rarely if ever come face to face with us or even converse with us verbally, we can craft an idealized image and present it to the world as complete reality. We post ourselves, smiling and engaged, using only the best, most flattering photographs, crafting an idealized image and presenting it to the world as a complete reality.

Fear

Giving Back When You Have Little to Give

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on November 8, 2012

One of my greatest wishes as a parent is that somehow, mixed in with the fun, carefree stuff, I will also somehow be able to instill in my kids a sense of responsibility to those less fortunate than themselves.

One of my greatest wishes as a parent is that somehow, mixed in with the fun, carefree stuff, I will also somehow be able to instill in my kids a sense of responsibility to those less fortunate than themselves.

Anger

Own Anger to Manage It

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on October 22, 2012

Though no one category fits all, in my psychotherapy practice I notice a strong correlation between folks with chronic anger management problems and those who exhibit self-defeating personality traits. Own these traits to defeat anger.

Though no one category fits all, in my psychotherapy practice I notice a strong correlation between folks with chronic anger management problems and those who exhibit self-defeating personality traits. Own these traits to defeat anger.

Therapy

Web Blurs Boudaries of Public & Private Time

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on October 16, 2012

When, where, and how therapists and clients “talk” is not what it was when I started practicing psychotherapy in 1973! It is the responsibility of psychotherapists to examine how they use technology and new methods of communication in their work, and to question the impact on the psyches of both the therapist and the client.

When, where, and how therapists and clients “talk” is not what it was when I started practicing psychotherapy in 1973! It is the responsibility of psychotherapists to examine how they use technology and new methods of communication in their work, and to question the impact on the psyches of both the therapist and the client.

Smoking

A New Life at 96

Kristi Pikiewicz Ph.D. on October 9, 2012

Three years ago, at age 96, my mother stated that her loneliness was unbearable and her meaningful connections were gone. Here is how she lived with my husband and me in a NYC apartment for a resplendent three years.

Three years ago, at age 96, my mother stated that her loneliness was unbearable and her meaningful connections were gone. Here is how she lived with my husband and me in a NYC apartment for a resplendent three years.