Lonely kids tend to read a lot. That was me. All those books gave me imaginary companions, insights into human nature … and great mentors. Hugh Lofting, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Alice Miller, Irvin Yalom, the list is endless.
Not so surprisingly, I grew up to be a writer and a psychotherapist. You can read some of my work below. And if you need a mentor, click “Work with Amy” above and schedule a free consultation. Let’s see if we’re a good fit.
Your Words Are In Your Body
Your words are in your body. A writer’s best thinking arises from your other organs, not your brain. Your stories are not warehoused between your ears. Like most, you probably assume your stories are warehoused between your ears. But to rely solely on your brain, my friend, is holding you back. The best way to […]
How to Deal with “Writer Envy”
How to deal with “writer envy”? The solution is journaling, of course! Jealousy and envy are closely related. Envy is the yearning for what others have, be it a best-selling book, or the ability to write well. Jealousy is a fear that someone can be taken from you, or you can never possess or belong […]
Herein Lies the Mother Lode
The dictionary defines “mother lode” as a principal vein or lode of a region; a rich source of something. Urban slang uses “motherload” to mean big winnings or hitting the jackpot. Your journal introduces you to your real self. There is so much more to you beneath the surface. We are not raised to explore […]
The Sensual Mechanics of Journaling
First things first. What are you going to write on? Let’s begin with the manual act of writing. To enjoy journaling, you want tools that you find pleasurable. I am particular about the pen I use. These days, nothing will do but a Pentel Energel Metal Tip 0.7mm ballpoint. I love the way it glides […]
The Art of Journaling
Evoke your creativity. Blossom as a writer and artist. Heal emotionally. Unfold spiritually. This is what you get from The Art of Journaling. As a writer and psychotherapist, I have a unique skill set to offer which I call “Embodied Writing.” You learn to find your words in your body. And you never run out […]
Is Journaling Just A Bitch Session?
Is Journaling Just A Bitch Session? There’s a fine line between griping and self-discovery. Day and night, so many voices are swirling around in our heads! Journaling is one way to empty your mind and body of simmering resentments, bitter grudges and persistent unforgiveness. Journaling offers catharsis. Dump your problems on the page and get some free psychotherapy. […]
What Type of Procrastinator Are You?
What type of procrastinator are you? Discover how to write your way out of your stalling tactics. How long did it take to get where you are today? Let’s guesstimate that you have spent half your life procrastinating. The depressed kill time. The anxious frenzy-froth time. The perfectionistic nitpick time. You may have a combo-thing going […]
You Will Never Run Out Of Ideas
Two reasons why I’m sure you will never run out of ideas: Do you know who Flannery O’Connor is? She wrote a classic called A Good Man Is Hard To Find and after I read that, she had my lifelong love and respect. Flannery O’Connor is known for saying, “Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough […]
Don’t Apologize for Eavesdropping
You’re a writer. It comes with the territory. There’s a whole world out there, waiting to be plucked. If you’re a psychotherapist, clients fall in love with you. If you’re a goalie, you get hit by the puck. If you’re a writer, you eavesdrop. The universe is a canvas and eavesdropping is your airbrush. Write […]
How to Come Up with Story Ideas
when you feel hopelessly blocked and utterly thwarted. I am not going to torment you with a description of what you’re going through. We’ve all faced the blank page and come up with … nothing. What follows is predictable. Procrastination. Urgency to binge (pick your poison). Isolation. Lack of bathing. Despair. Cheese breath. Okay, I said I […]
A New Way to Find Your Voice
It’s embarrassing and it works. But first, a brief story. Writers and psychotherapists, if they’re any good, are both truth-speakers. I know. I’m both. And, honestly, I became a writer and a psychotherapist as legitimate outlets for my over-zealous truth-speaking, which general society did not particularly welcome, due to cultural imperatives such as tact, etiquette, and […]