Verified by Psychology Today

Adaptations

Tales of Transformation

Anger
The Potential in Frustration

Elizabeth Young on November 6, 2018

It hits me: “This is origami” and I know that I am doomed. All my life I have tried to fold-and-tuck paper, and every time my brain shuts down.

It hits me: “This is origami” and I know that I am doomed. All my life I have tried to fold-and-tuck paper, and every time my brain shuts down.

Anxiety
Is It Heart Disease, or Is It Anxiety?

Elizabeth Young on August 25, 2018

My husband and my father died of heart attacks. One friend needs cardiac surgery; another is pale and unsteady; a client's husband just dropped dead. Am I worried? You betcha!

My husband and my father died of heart attacks. One friend needs cardiac surgery; another is pale and unsteady; a client's husband just dropped dead. Am I worried? You betcha!

Fear
Patriotism as Political Resistance

Elizabeth Young on July 15, 2018

On July 4th, I didn’t fly my flag because I am ashamed of the President’s language, behavior, and policy. And then I learned to embrace my patriotism as a political act.

On July 4th, I didn’t fly my flag because I am ashamed of the President’s language, behavior, and policy. And then I learned to embrace my patriotism as a political act.

Anxiety
The Necessity of Retreat

Elizabeth Young on July 12, 2018

In three days, I have become the self I want to be: slower, relaxed, creative, open, curious, attentive.

In three days, I have become the self I want to be: slower, relaxed, creative, open, curious, attentive.

Motivation
Motivation to Change

Elizabeth Young on July 10, 2018

I’m using numbers to improve my physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial health. The numbers I focus on make me feel in control of my life.

I’m using numbers to improve my physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial health. The numbers I focus on make me feel in control of my life.

Grief
The Expert Way to Manage Anxiety

Elizabeth Young on July 5, 2018

The therapist meets my eyes. “How do you feel about your experts?” The answer is immediate. The tears come again, and with them the simple truth: “I feel safe.”

The therapist meets my eyes. “How do you feel about your experts?” The answer is immediate. The tears come again, and with them the simple truth: “I feel safe.”

Anxiety
Sitting in a Hoarder's Chair

Elizabeth Young on June 8, 2018

Boxes and bags appear to press toward me from all across the room. My stomach tightens, my breath gets shallow, claustrophobia threatens. I close my eyes.

Boxes and bags appear to press toward me from all across the room. My stomach tightens, my breath gets shallow, claustrophobia threatens. I close my eyes.

Career
Housing First (Annie-6)

Elizabeth Young on May 30, 2018

Annie's deep blue eyes meet mine across the 75 miles that separate us. "It’s been a long, hard road,” she says.

Annie's deep blue eyes meet mine across the 75 miles that separate us. "It’s been a long, hard road,” she says.

Grief
Open to Grief

Elizabeth Young on March 23, 2018

Grief is a rich time, a time of growth if we permit ourselves to be open to it.

Grief is a rich time, a time of growth if we permit ourselves to be open to it.

Grief
Astonished by Kindness

Elizabeth Young on March 8, 2018

As I think about my mother now in the great beyond, I’ll be kept warm by all that unexpected kindness, all that goodness in the world.

As I think about my mother now in the great beyond, I’ll be kept warm by all that unexpected kindness, all that goodness in the world.