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Constructive Wallowing

How to beat bad feelings by letting yourself have them

Productivity
How to Do the Bare Minimum

Tina Gilbertson LPC on April 8, 2020

Doing nothing but the bare minimum has a bad rap. But sometimes, it’s exactly what’s needed to get the wheels turning again.

Doing nothing but the bare minimum has a bad rap. But sometimes, it’s exactly what’s needed to get the wheels turning again.

Empathy
Hanlon’s Razor and Estrangement

Tina Gilbertson LPC on March 4, 2020

Does estrangement feel like a weapon your adult child is using to hurt you? According to Hanlon's Razor, that's likely not the case.

Does estrangement feel like a weapon your adult child is using to hurt you? According to Hanlon's Razor, that's likely not the case.

Shyness
How to Stop Feeling Insecure

Tina Gilbertson LPC on November 12, 2019

Here's a simple tool for coping with (and healing from) chronic insecurity. Start practicing today for long-term results.

Here's a simple tool for coping with (and healing from) chronic insecurity. Start practicing today for long-term results.

Relationships
One Way to Deal With Someone on A Power Trip

Tina Gilbertson LPC on September 17, 2019

There are many things that could be going on inside the mind of someone who appears to be on a power trip. This article looks at one factor you might have missed.

There are many things that could be going on inside the mind of someone who appears to be on a power trip. This article looks at one factor you might have missed.

Relationships
How Long Does Parent-Child Estrangement Usually Last?

Tina Gilbertson LPC on August 17, 2019

There are essentially four factors that influence how long you're estranged from your adult son or daughter. Find out how to make the best of what you can control.

There are essentially four factors that influence how long you're estranged from your adult son or daughter. Find out how to make the best of what you can control.

Mind Reading
Don't Be a Mind-Reader

Tina Gilbertson LPC on July 20, 2019

If you're used to reading people's "energy" and making decisions based on your guesses, you might be getting it wrong at least half the time—or even more.

If you're used to reading people's "energy" and making decisions based on your guesses, you might be getting it wrong at least half the time—or even more.

Highly Sensitive Person
My (Adult) Child, Myself

Tina Gilbertson LPC on May 15, 2019

Parents tend to "just be themselves" when dealing with their adult children. So what happens between you tells you a lot about your own inner dialogue.

Parents tend to "just be themselves" when dealing with their adult children. So what happens between you tells you a lot about your own inner dialogue.

Stress
The Best Approach to an Unsolvable Problem

Tina Gilbertson LPC on April 13, 2019

Do you feel helpless when someone close to you has a problem with no good solution? You may not be able to solve it, but there is something you can do.

Do you feel helpless when someone close to you has a problem with no good solution? You may not be able to solve it, but there is something you can do.

Narcissism
Is Your Estranged Son or Daughter a Narcissist?

Tina Gilbertson LPC on March 12, 2019

Narcissists often lack empathy. If your child doesn’t care enough about your feelings to call on Mother’s Day, is it narcissism or something else?

Narcissists often lack empathy. If your child doesn’t care enough about your feelings to call on Mother’s Day, is it narcissism or something else?

Education
Stages of Estrangement: Maintenance

Tina Gilbertson LPC on February 7, 2019

Whether parents reconcile with their estranged adult children or not, both connection and disconnection require continued emotional effort.

Whether parents reconcile with their estranged adult children or not, both connection and disconnection require continued emotional effort.

Fear
Stages of Estrangement: Acceptance

Tina Gilbertson LPC on December 19, 2018

No parent wants to accept that they’ll never talk to their child again. But that’s not what acceptance of estrangement is about.

No parent wants to accept that they’ll never talk to their child again. But that’s not what acceptance of estrangement is about.

Grief
Stages of Estrangement: Shock

Tina Gilbertson LPC on October 20, 2018

If you’ve been cut off by your adult child, you may go through up to five different stages before this is all over—and they’re not the same as stages of grief.

If you’ve been cut off by your adult child, you may go through up to five different stages before this is all over—and they’re not the same as stages of grief.