Posts by Mike Ferraro
Your Childhood Trauma May Be Affecting You
I heard someone say that no one escapes childhood unscathed. I first thought that can’t be true. There are people with good childhoods and I’ve worked with many of them. But something about this statement intrigued me, so I pondered it. What I came to believe was the idea that every child has needs that…
< Read More >Honor The Dead
Death sometimes feels like a taboo subject. We don’t like to talk about it. We certainly don’t like to face it. But it has affected most of us, and eventually, it will affect all of us. And grief is complicated. There are a multitude of feelings, some of which are in conflict. Many of us…
< Read More >Do you have an addictive personality?
On occasion, I’ve heard someone say they have an addictive personality. I’m not quite sure what was meant by that. I assume that person feels like they can’t control their behavior. Historically, what you were addicted to was seen as the cause of the addiction. For example, the cause of an addiction to opioids was…
< Read More >Take This Marriage Assessment
Before you start marriage counseling with me, you will be asked to take this assessment. I’ve created it myself based on my experience with marriage’s challenges, opportunities, and needs. I keep the answers confidential to encourage honesty. It obviously can’t cover everything, but it gives me a good snapshot of the state of your marriage.…
< Read More >Are You Dependent on Drugs or Alcohol?
A great deal of time, energy and money have been devoted to drug and alcohol addiction. An addict is relatively easy to spot. They must have their fix, will do anything to get it and keep using despite major life problems. A more common problem is a category below addiction. Dependence is more widespread, yet…
< Read More >Your Family Is A System
What is a family system? The definition of family starts with your immediate or nuclear family, meaning parents and children. And it also includes anyone who has frequent, direct contact with the immediate family. This can be grandparents, aunts and uncles, or family friends. In blended families, the system includes former spouses, stepparents, half-siblings, and…
< Read More >What is intimacy?
Intimacy is a requirement in a healthy relationship. Without it, a couple cannot grow and is in danger of disconnecting. But what is it exactly? A number of words come to mind such as: Openness Acceptance Vulnerability Trust Connection There may be a temptation to think “it depends.” It depends on what kind of relationship…
< Read More >Know The Difference Between Stress and Anxiety
There’s a fine line between stress and anxiety. Stress is a feeling of emotional strain and pressure. Generally, stress is a response to an external cause, such as a deadline for a work project or conflict with a partner. This type of stress goes away once the situation is resolved. If the external cause doesn’t go away,…
< Read More >The Biggest Challenge For Adults On The Autism Spectrum Is Not What You Think
I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with many adult men on the autism spectrum. I haven’t had the good fortune to work with any women yet, but I hope to at some point. Some had an official diagnosis and some did not. Those that did not have traits that were consistent with that…
< Read More >Blended Families Are Tricky
Imagine a family with parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, step-siblings, ex-spouses, ex-partners, the spouses and partners of ex-spouses and ex-partners, and extended families all the way around. Is your head spinning yet? A blended family can have some or all of the above. And, as all of you living in blended families know, having a…
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