The Novel Perspective

Health

To Stay or Not to Stay in Managed Care

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on April 3, 2018

If you can't find a therapist who takes your insurance, here's why...

If you can't find a therapist who takes your insurance, here's why...

Mindfulness

From Mindless Din to Deep Mindfulness

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on March 22, 2018

How spiritually oriented therapy heals mind, body, and spirit.

How spiritually oriented therapy heals mind, body, and spirit.

Motivation

Stop Making Resolutions that Leave You Disappointed

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on December 28, 2017

Tired of beating yourself up for falling short of your goals? In 2108, make a resolution to be firm but loving parent to yourself.

Tired of beating yourself up for falling short of your goals? In 2108, make a resolution to be firm but loving parent to yourself.

Depression

Triumph or Tragedy: How You Tell Your Story Matters

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on December 10, 2017

While making mistakes is not an especially pleasurable experience, when people become depressed, it is usually because they mistake difficult chapters for the entire plotline. They also under-value the important lessons that come from harder chapters which, if we read them correctly, can help us move on to happier ones.

While making mistakes is not an especially pleasurable experience, when people become depressed, it is usually because they mistake difficult chapters for the entire plotline. They also under-value the important lessons that come from harder chapters which, if we read them correctly, can help us move on to happier ones.

Anger

Your Anger Knows Your Worth

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on October 24, 2017

Your anger knows your worth: 10 steps to turn your temper into a teacher.

Your anger knows your worth: 10 steps to turn your temper into a teacher.

Creativity

The Self, Lost and Found

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on June 14, 2017

How creativity holds up a mirror to your inner world.

How creativity holds up a mirror to your inner world.

Happiness

It's Not Whether You Win or Lose But How You Tell Your Story

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on April 4, 2017

Although we can't always control the plotline of our lives, happy endings are often a matter of choice.

Although we can't always control the plotline of our lives, happy endings are often a matter of choice.

Pixar's "Inside Out" deserves an award for being the best teaching tool about human emotions ever.

The antagonists of our life stories are like the personal trainers who push us beyond our perceived limitations to develop our flabby, underutilized emotional muscles and strengthen our character.

A growing body of research that shows that viewing your life from a psychologically distant vantage point can help you see yourself through kinder, more compassionate eyes.

Identity

Tapping Into Your Omniscient Narrator

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on May 31, 2015

Writing about yourself in the third person narrative is a remedy for tunnel vision, offering an elevated, compassionate perspective on your life.

Writing about yourself in the third person narrative is a remedy for tunnel vision, offering an elevated, compassionate perspective on your life.

Jealousy

Compare and Despair

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on October 31, 2013

Comparing yourself to others is always a waste of energy because everyone's history and life path is different. It's far better to compare yourself to yourself and see how you've grown.

Comparing yourself to others is always a waste of energy because everyone's history and life path is different. It's far better to compare yourself to yourself and see how you've grown.

If 93 percent of communication is visual and auditory, texting may actually create more problems than it solves.

Creativity

Creativity Is Our Birthright

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on October 18, 2012

Broadly defined, creativity is bringing something new into existence. As human beings, it’s practically our birthright. Every day, we wake up to a blank canvas with a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes at our disposal. From choosing what clothes to wear to preparing breakfast, each tiny decision sculpts our experience of the world.

Broadly defined, creativity is bringing something new into existence. As human beings, it’s practically our birthright. Every day, we wake up to a blank canvas with a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes at our disposal. From choosing what clothes to wear to preparing breakfast, each tiny decision sculpts our experience of the world.

Synchronicity

Magical Thinking, Delusions, or Synchronicity?

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on July 9, 2012

Human beings are natural storytellers and meaning makers. We have lucky numbers and charmed rabbit’s feet. Our problems may not lie so much in our beliefs that don’t stand up to scientific reasoning, but in our attachments to narratives that don’t serve us or cause us harm.

Human beings are natural storytellers and meaning makers. We have lucky numbers and charmed rabbit’s feet. Our problems may not lie so much in our beliefs that don’t stand up to scientific reasoning, but in our attachments to narratives that don’t serve us or cause us harm.

Relationships

Love and Redemption in the Face of Loss

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on May 3, 2012

For years, I had been helping people reclaim the authorship rights of their life stories. But after a series of family deaths, my ideas were put to the test. Could I turn a family tragedy into a story of love and redemption?

For years, I had been helping people reclaim the authorship rights of their life stories. But after a series of family deaths, my ideas were put to the test. Could I turn a family tragedy into a story of love and redemption?

Identity

The Truth About Transitions

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on March 18, 2012

As we age, we are often measured by our gains, not our losses, our stability, not our vulnerability. That's why so many people are devastated when the temple of their familiar world is shaken. Yet change doesn't have to be scary. Understanding the three stages of transition can help us navigate life's twists and turns.

As we age, we are often measured by our gains, not our losses, our stability, not our vulnerability. That's why so many people are devastated when the temple of their familiar world is shaken. Yet change doesn't have to be scary. Understanding the three stages of transition can help us navigate life's twists and turns.

While there's nothing wrong with taking pride in one's hard-earned status and credentials, glomming on to titles can trigger an identity crisis.

Relationships

Emotional Yoga: Why Flexibility Is Good for Relationships

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on February 12, 2012

Like an asana, a healthy relationship requires flexibility, commitment, and alignment with our internal sources of vitality and well-being—loving ourselves unconditionally, for example—even while enduring periods of discomfort. Making yourself a little uncomfortable for someone you love can stretch the relationship into new levels of health and vitality.

Like an asana, a healthy relationship requires flexibility, commitment, and alignment with our internal sources of vitality and well-being—loving ourselves unconditionally, for example—even while enduring periods of discomfort. Making yourself a little uncomfortable for someone you love can stretch the relationship into new levels of health and vitality.

Relationships

The Difference Between a Monologue and a Dialogue

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W on January 15, 2012

Conversations between two parties who are not really listening to each other are essentially monologues masquerading as dialogues. One of the hardest things we can ever do is to put aside our own agendas and really listen to another person.

Conversations between two parties who are not really listening to each other are essentially monologues masquerading as dialogues. One of the hardest things we can ever do is to put aside our own agendas and really listen to another person.