Counseling Archives - Michael D. Williams

11 May You might be depressed about being depressed

Posted at 13:43h in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Counseling, Depression, Emotions, Mindfulness, Uncategorized

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Oxford professor Mark Williams notes that many adults suffering from serious depression are essentially discouraged and hopeless about feeling discouraged and hopeless. In other words, they are depressed about being depressed. All, or nearly all, or us experiences low moods. These can be associated with experiencing...

02 Dec ‘Careful, Your Prejudice is Showing

Posted at 14:47h in Anger, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crime, Emotions, Gangs, Media, Mindfulness, Revenge

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There is much discussion in this country right now on the topic of racial prejudice. Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri have pushed it to the forefront of national media and local minds alike. But what is prejudice? “Prejudice is prejudgment, or forming an opinion before becoming...

25 Nov Life is Precious

Posted at 20:37h in Children/Kids, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Courage, Depression, Emotions, Mindfulness

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I have to say that I was very surprised to see the strong response to my last column. Clearly I offended Steve Oakey with some of my statements on the topic of suicide. I like Steve, and agree that there is great value in public...

05 Nov Sometimes You Gotta Take a Break

Posted at 01:19h in Children/Kids, Counseling, Courage, Emotions, Mindfulness, Parenting

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I am writing this week’s column from exotic Richfield, Utah where Ruth and I have spent a couple of days with Trevor and Miranda—our oldest son and his wife—and their 3.4 kids. (Child number 4 is due in April.) We brought our six-year old granddaughter,...

28 Oct The Paradox of Protection

Posted at 03:23h in Anger, Children/Kids, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Counseling, Courage, Crime, Depression, Emotions, Gangs, Parenting, Revenge

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Working closely with young gang members in Southern California helped me to better understand the drive many feel to “get even”. Revenge seems to offer protection from being hurt, something we all desire. A young lady recently told me, “Nice people get walked on. If I...

21 Oct You Can Never Really Get Even

Posted at 03:32h in Anger, Children/Kids, Counseling, Courage, Crime, Emotions, Family, Gangs, Parenting, Revenge

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In 1990 I sat in my office with five or six young men, aged 16 to 18. We had been talking about the gang activity that led to their being sentenced to the residential treatment program where I worked, and where they lived. A little...

14 Oct We Are All Power Hungry

Posted at 03:36h in Children/Kids, Counseling, Courage, Family, Parenting

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Over the years I have taught parenting classes to an assortment of groups and in a variety of venues. But the most memorable has to be the series of classes i taught to “a captive audience” in Lompoc Federal Penitentiary. I learned a great deal in...

07 Oct In Defense of Fido

Posted at 03:43h in Animals, Children/Kids, Counseling, Pets

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Evidence has been piling up for years: animals can have great therapeutic effects of people of all ages. While scanning the web for research I saw that the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine held an entire conference on “animal assisted interventions in adolescent mental...

18 Sep Why Mick Jagger Can’t Get No Satisfaction

Posted at 21:57h in Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Uncategorized

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Since 1965 we’ve heard Mick and the Rolling Stones wailing about their inability to get a sense of satisfaction. Could it be that Mick is making a mistake—I mean, in addition to slaughtering the English language? Always remember this: You can never get enough of what...

02 Sep Responding to Your Responses

Posted at 17:41h in Anger, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Depression, Emotions, Family, Mindfulness, Panic, School

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Last week the Standard-Journal published thoughtful and respectful responses to my last two columns. At first I was a bit self-conscious of the critiques. But since I am a licensed therapist I scheduled some time to talk to myself, and I’m okay now. (Too bad...