Don Zablosky (he/him)

Foster parenting is more than caring. You must be able to de-code each child's needs and experiences. Better understanding is needed to zero in on that child's outlook so you can guide them from that point. The foster care experience shapes a person all their life. Processing earlier events as an adult may help you understand the impact of those events without them defining your whole life.

Depression shows up in so many subtle ways that it is often mis-labeled. Poor concentration, fatigue, irritability, low motivation. Too often these symptoms are mis-labeled as not paying attention, angry, lazy, unappreciative. Let's drop the labels and see what is going on.

Relationships require maintenance. We can slowly get out of sync and suddenly wonder what happened. Clarifying needs and polishing up communication is a basic way to keep the relationship healthy. These skills are key to navigating the rough spots in life without giving up on each other.

CBT is about the beliefs and assumptions that drive our thinking and acting. Sometimes our beliefs are incorrect. Sometimes they are just out of date. CBT helps you assess what influences you so you can delete or upgrade as needed to fit your current life.

Being a couple is easier when you reconize all the factors that are in play. Each person has their own set of experiences, preferences, needs, and hopes. How do you get these individual collections to mesh for the best fit? Communication built for problem solving and strength recognizing helps you move forward. I lean on what's going well to help get through the parts that aren't so pretty.

CBT is about the beliefs and assumptions that drive our thinking and acting. Sometimes our beliefs are incorrect. Sometimes they are just out of date. CBT helps you assess what influences you so you can delete or upgrade as needed to fit your current life.

This idea makes the assumption that being your true self is the best feeling and your true self is A-OK. Measure you by your standards. Look for friends, partners, jobs that match you. I'll quiz you about you because you are the expert. The goal is to clarify how you feel and fit into the world. This isn't about being self-centered but about being self-aware.