Smoking Cigarettes, Eating Glass

Career

Retiring in the Spring

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on June 17, 2024

Personal Perspective: After more than 40 years in clinical work I loved, It was time to retire. Now I'd have time for everything else I'd always wanted to do! It hasn't turned out quite like that.

Personal Perspective: After more than 40 years in clinical work I loved, It was time to retire. Now I'd have time for everything else I'd always wanted to do! It hasn't turned out quite like that.

Environment

My Climate Change

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on October 7, 2023

Personal Perspective: My yard was my emotional safe space. Then heat, mosquitos, and a cat disrupted the peace, challenging my naive image of nature.

Personal Perspective: My yard was my emotional safe space. Then heat, mosquitos, and a cat disrupted the peace, challenging my naive image of nature.

Fear

COVID, Three Summers In: It's Worse and Better

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on September 21, 2022

In the midst of unprecedented storms, wars, and other crises, it's hard to resist shutting down. What can we hold on to?

In the midst of unprecedented storms, wars, and other crises, it's hard to resist shutting down. What can we hold on to?

Anxiety

Why 'No-Mow May'?

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on June 5, 2022

In a world awash with fear, where do I find hope?

In a world awash with fear, where do I find hope?

Cognition

I Don't Marvel; I Rejoice

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on August 29, 2021

Is keeping up with scary news wearing you out? An amaryllis blooming in my basement inspired a change in my perspective.

Is keeping up with scary news wearing you out? An amaryllis blooming in my basement inspired a change in my perspective.

Friends

Making Sense of Nothing - Part II

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on March 16, 2021

Part II: Musing on a pandemic year — fall and winter.

Part II: Musing on a pandemic year — fall and winter.

Cognition

Making Sense of Nothing - Part I

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on March 1, 2021

Recent studies suggest that despite belonging to the highest risk category, older adults appear to weather pandemic stress better than younger ones do. Here is one story.

Recent studies suggest that despite belonging to the highest risk category, older adults appear to weather pandemic stress better than younger ones do. Here is one story.

Career

What Does It Really Mean to Make a Difference?

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on July 28, 2020

Do you struggle to find peace in these fraught pandemic times? Here's what I learned from watching a finch family in my gazebo.

Do you struggle to find peace in these fraught pandemic times? Here's what I learned from watching a finch family in my gazebo.

Trauma

I Should Be Over This by Now!

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on April 2, 2019

Should we expect old symptoms to disappear forever? Can I be whole, if I’m still haunted?

Should we expect old symptoms to disappear forever? Can I be whole, if I’m still haunted?

Therapy

To Tell or Not to Tell

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on August 14, 2018

If your therapist had struggled with painful symptoms like yours and recovered, would you want to know about it? Should they tell you?

If your therapist had struggled with painful symptoms like yours and recovered, would you want to know about it? Should they tell you?

Fear

Our Souvenirs Reminded Us That We Would Survive

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on March 4, 2017

An important part of who we are is not only where we've been, but also how far we've come. We need to find ways to celebrate this!

An important part of who we are is not only where we've been, but also how far we've come. We need to find ways to celebrate this!

Race and Ethnicity

How Would You Diminish the Stigma of Mental Illness?

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on November 14, 2016

If you were part of an anonymous small group, and similar groups were working all around you, would you share your ideas about mental illness? Would it change the stigma?

If you were part of an anonymous small group, and similar groups were working all around you, would you share your ideas about mental illness? Would it change the stigma?

Embarrassment

Hooray! My Memoir Is Published!—Oh No! I’m Exposed!

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on March 15, 2016

So you really really want to publish your memoir? What if you succeed?

So you really really want to publish your memoir? What if you succeed?

Fear

The Leap

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on October 11, 2015

It wasn’t the leap itself that was brave. It was Potter's decision to confront his fear every time he jumped, knowing there was no turning back.

It wasn’t the leap itself that was brave. It was Potter's decision to confront his fear every time he jumped, knowing there was no turning back.

Depression

A Co-Pilot's Suicide: Who Will Disclose Depression Now?

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on April 7, 2015

Imagine that by daring to speak now, we’ll save lives.

Imagine that by daring to speak now, we’ll save lives.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Truth and Transformation

Annita P. Sawyer Ph.D. on March 21, 2015

I'd convinced myself that the records would be no more than a curiosity. Yet I began to feel intensely anxious when I knew they'd soon be arriving...

I'd convinced myself that the records would be no more than a curiosity. Yet I began to feel intensely anxious when I knew they'd soon be arriving...