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Make Your Life a Blessing

How to bring blessings into everyday life

Openness
Lead by Listening

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on July 6, 2017

Most graduation speeches congratulate the graduates, saying something to the effect of: “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” This is not what Dr. Wake advised.

Most graduation speeches congratulate the graduates, saying something to the effect of: “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” This is not what Dr. Wake advised.

Health
Word Matters

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on February 3, 2017

Mind and body are connected; both hateful and compassionate speech affect our bodies, our immune and cardiovascular systems and our brains.

Mind and body are connected; both hateful and compassionate speech affect our bodies, our immune and cardiovascular systems and our brains.

Trauma
The Power of Dance to Work with Trauma

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on October 17, 2016

In this article, Life, Death and Transformation: Keep Moving, three Turkish therapists learn how to use dance to express the affirmation of life in the face of death-

In this article, Life, Death and Transformation: Keep Moving, three Turkish therapists learn how to use dance to express the affirmation of life in the face of death-

Relationships
Co-Creating the Beloved: Happy Valentine’s Day

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on February 15, 2016

Co-Creating the Beloved: Happy Valentine’s Day,
or “Gamble everything for love,
if you’re a true human being.

Co-Creating the Beloved: Happy Valentine’s Day,
or “Gamble everything for love,
if you’re a true human being.

Sex
Spotlight

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on December 21, 2015

The new movie “Spotlight”, about the sexual abuse by priests in Boston and around the world, brought back memories of my work with survivors of that abuse.

The new movie “Spotlight”, about the sexual abuse by priests in Boston and around the world, brought back memories of my work with survivors of that abuse.

Trauma
How to Begin Life Again?

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on September 15, 2015

Can trauma and transformative healing be responsibly portrayed in movie entertainment?

Can trauma and transformative healing be responsibly portrayed in movie entertainment?

Mating
Finding Mr. Right

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on March 17, 2015

Can we find our real partner in an online dating app? How do we judge another’s qualities, how do we describe ourselves, and can online dating lead to a real-world relationship? Online dating can lead to profound questions about identity, authenticity, loneliness and solitude, illusion and reality.

Can we find our real partner in an online dating app? How do we judge another’s qualities, how do we describe ourselves, and can online dating lead to a real-world relationship? Online dating can lead to profound questions about identity, authenticity, loneliness and solitude, illusion and reality.

Anger
Road Rage, Phone Rage, & the Dehumanization of Everyday Life

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on January 17, 2015

I wonder if some of the anxieties we may be sensing these days are a vague apprehension of the loss of our humanity?

I wonder if some of the anxieties we may be sensing these days are a vague apprehension of the loss of our humanity?

Relationships
How a Movement Choir Heals

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on August 29, 2014

Studies show that singing can bring enhanced immune function, uplifted mood, and singing with others can enhance relationships, sense of harmony, and being part of something bigger than oneself.

Studies show that singing can bring enhanced immune function, uplifted mood, and singing with others can enhance relationships, sense of harmony, and being part of something bigger than oneself.

Suicide
Robin Williams

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on August 18, 2014

The outpouring of grief asked how someone who could bring so much joy to so many could also experience such darkness.

The outpouring of grief asked how someone who could bring so much joy to so many could also experience such darkness.

Health
The Healing Power of Music

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on March 26, 2014

The creative act is a courageous affirmation of life in face of the void or death. From this affirmation of life comes the healing medicine of creation. The need to create, communicate, create coherence, and symbolize is a basic human need.

The creative act is a courageous affirmation of life in face of the void or death. From this affirmation of life comes the healing medicine of creation. The need to create, communicate, create coherence, and symbolize is a basic human need.

Friends
Child-Free Marriages

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on February 5, 2014

Contemplating having children? Wise words from a “child-free marriage"

Contemplating having children? Wise words from a “child-free marriage"

Sex
Broken Hearts are Real

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on January 27, 2014

Valerie Trierweiler’s emotional collapse and week-long hospitalization after hearing about her partner Francois Holland’s betrayal with actress Julie Gayett was dramatic, but nevertheless understandable. Liasons with powerful political figures are by definition dramatic, but therefore seductive.

Valerie Trierweiler’s emotional collapse and week-long hospitalization after hearing about her partner Francois Holland’s betrayal with actress Julie Gayett was dramatic, but nevertheless understandable. Liasons with powerful political figures are by definition dramatic, but therefore seductive.

Dementia
Dancing Away Dementia

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on November 26, 2013

Research shows that dancing helps reduce incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Working with aging and its problems and possibilities will be a growing field in the future. Being able to work with these issues by bringing in a wide variety of methodologies is important for healthcare providers.

Research shows that dancing helps reduce incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Working with aging and its problems and possibilities will be a growing field in the future. Being able to work with these issues by bringing in a wide variety of methodologies is important for healthcare providers.

Therapy
The Art of Embodiment

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on November 8, 2013

Psychology is new to China, and it has been fascinating travelling and teaching there for the past three years. While many in China are importing Western psychology, others are striving to build on indigenous Chinese philosophers, poets, and medicine.

Psychology is new to China, and it has been fascinating travelling and teaching there for the past three years. While many in China are importing Western psychology, others are striving to build on indigenous Chinese philosophers, poets, and medicine.

Therapy
Dance and Psyche

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on October 1, 2013

Dance is an ancient and modern form of healing. In this podcast, a talk with Michael Lerner from the Arts and Healing program at Commonweal about the power of dance and embodiment to heal.

Dance is an ancient and modern form of healing. In this podcast, a talk with Michael Lerner from the Arts and Healing program at Commonweal about the power of dance and embodiment to heal.

Forgiveness
Yom Kippur Renewal

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on September 21, 2013

It’s so hard to be a good human being!

It is the little things, the human relations of everyday life that are hardest to transform. The moments of arrogance, of envy, of inadvertently hurting someone else.

It’s so hard to be a good human being!

It is the little things, the human relations of everyday life that are hardest to transform. The moments of arrogance, of envy, of inadvertently hurting someone else.

Therapy
Dance Therapy

Ilene A. Serlin Ph.D. on September 2, 2013

Movement is key to life and aging gracefully.

Movement is key to life and aging gracefully.