Clean Pain vs Dirty Pain: How We Multiply Our Suffering Without Even Realizing It
There’s a concept I use a lot in therapy called clean pain vs dirty pain. People come to therapy because they’re in some kind of pain—or as we therapists like to call it, psychological suffering. Sometimes that pain is obvious: grief, anxiety, heartbreak, burnout. But...
The Unrequited Love We Overlook: How Self-Compassion Can Transform Your Inner Dialogue
As Valentine’s Day approaches and the world talks about love, I find myself thinking of British novelist Anthony Powell, who said, “Self-love seems so often unrequited.” In a culture that values grit and resilience, this idea of unrequited self-love resonates...
The Power of “Þetta Reddast”: How an Icelandic Perspective Can Help with OCD
If you’ve ever traveled to Iceland or spent time with Icelanders, you might have come across the phrase “Þetta reddast” (pronounced thetta red-ast). This simple yet profound saying translates to “it will all work out” or “everything will be fine.” It...
Meet the Therapists: Q&A with Allison Hamilton, MS, LPC-A
Here at Houston Center for Valued Living we have a dedicated team of skilled therapists who want to see you through to your best life yet. We offer comprehensive counseling services for adults, teens, and children in the greater Houston area or via Telehealth. Whether...