The DWA Blog
Pornography – Beginnings
By Anthony Hoff, MFT-intern.Welcome. This is the beginning of my series of blogs covering a myriad of pornography (porn) topics. To begin I share an anonymous but true story that illustrates how porn use may begin and how enticing porn may be to a young mind.John...
The Ever-Present Calculator: A Message on Eating Disorders
By: Kayli Spears, MFT-Intern A 2020 research article on body shape ideals in the United States yieldedthat women “reported conflicting pressures to be thin while also having thedesire to have curvier and fuller bodies” (Hunter et al., 2020, pp. 240).There has been yet...
The Reality of Chronic Illness: An Invitation to Leave the Mask at Home
By: Kayli Spears, MFT-Intern “You look normal.” “Why don’t you ever want to do anything?” “You are so flakey.” “Why are you always tired?” “Can’t you just take some medicine?” If you are an individual with autoimmune conditions or chronic pain, you will likely find...
Caring For the Caretaker: Pouring from an Empty Cup
By: Kayli Spears, MFT-Intern When was the last time you checked in on yourself? Being in the position of taking care of a loved one with an illness, dementia, and other memory-loss diseases, in particular, is a unique space accompanied by responsibility, loss,...
More Than Healthcare Self-Care
More Than Healthcare Self-Care Marshall Smith, MFT-Intern "I love my job," "my patients need me," "I should have done a better job," "if I do not take care of my patients who will?" These thoughts are not uncommon in occupations that entail caring for other people,...
Your Story Matters: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Your Story Matters: COVID-19 and Mental Health By Twanna McKee, MFT-Intern Do you feel overwhelmed or anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are not alone. These feelings are only human and keeping them to yourself only adds unwanted stress and fear. We are...
Concerned About Your Kids and Media Use?
By Marshall Smith, MFT-Intern Many of us have done this. We are sitting in a waiting-room, riding the bus, relaxing outside, waiting for our food, or lying in bed and turn to an immediate source of distraction, social media! I would be lying if I were to say I am not...
What Effect is the Quarantine Having on My Relationship with My Partner?
Well like a lot of things in life the answer is that it depends, and I would like to put my thoughts and opinions out for those interested. I’ll start with being quarantined together. I know for some this has been an enhancement for their relationship and for some...
Finding Self-Worth
‘I screwed up, no one will love me.’ ‘I don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done.’ ‘I don’t deserve to be happy.’ I can remember thinking these thoughts as a child and even now as an adult. I try to tell myself they aren’t true and that my best is good...
Worthy Women
Growing up I was shy and reserved. Actually, unless I really know you, I’m still shy and reserved. As a child, I thought I was strange and felt as though I didn’t fit in anywhere. Not sure where my thinking came from, but it’s how I felt. Therefore, I believed I...