Did you ever say it as a kid? "When I grow up...." It seems like a promised land. In many ways it is! I can eat candy to my hearts delight and make all my own choices - consequences included. But I have to admit the "grown up decisions" of life can be really hard. Let me tell you a story... Two years ago I was faced with a decision. It was one of those moments when you have multiple options and making a choice for one really good thing means leaving something else behind. I was offered a position for a job in Ohio and I also had a job offer here in Lexington. Both were jobs I had dreamed of over years of school and work. I was at a point of having two options on the table and felt mor

I speak with a lot of people. Everyday I am honored to sit with my clients as they open up their hearts and speak with me. It is my privilege to work with these brave human beings. One of the hard moments we often encounter in session is the recognition that as much as we can work on ourselves and attempt to move ourselves forward we actually have very little say in getting other people to be ready to make changes. This is usually one of the moments in sessions when we recognize the struggles we face are influenced by others (family, friends, etc.) but we can't get other people to change their actions. It sucks! Maybe it's the lover who won't stop to listen to our needs. Maybe our child who

So there is something weird I noticed about myself a few years ago. I noticed it only because a friend pointed it out to me. I was holding my breath. Like, alot! I would be sitting in a meeting or having coffee with someone - and I would suddenly inhale deeply. Like I had just come back to the surface in a pool. I started to notice that I was holding my breath and didn't even realize it consciously until my friend pointed it out. What I started to notice was that when my thoughts were churning and I was putting my lungs on pause. Not cool. Oxygen is kind of important right? As I began to make this unconscious action more conscious and brought it into my awareness I was able to question it

Why are you so angry? Are you still feeling sad? You should let that go? Go ahead - you can cry - I am here with you... Think for a moment about what you heard about emotions while you were growing up? Was it nurturing or scary? Did you learn that "boys don't cry." (BTW that is not true) Did you learn that you should only express anger alone under the covers? Did someone help you express your feelings in tough times? Just take a minute and ponder... Call it what you will but learning to listen to and valuing our emotions is a skill we work on over time. #truth In our lives messages about emotions have taught us how to treat our feelings. Sometimes we have internalized that emotions are

For more info feel free to contact me directly: david@claritylex.com 859-429-1362 As a psychologist I am really a pro at asking questions.  When I am starting to work with a client there are lots of things we cover so that we can clearly make a plan for therapy and so we can understand how the past and present may be impacting you as a person.  I always point out that the folks I serve can ask me questions too. Sometimes this surprises people. It is my philosophy that building a collaborative relationship with my therapy clients can become one of the most important parts of helping bring about change in my client's life.  We are both invested in this process to help you move forward. As you

I am so excited to get to meet you. Being a psychologist has been my life long dream and I am so pleased to bring you this blog and to share my ideas with you. There is so much good stuff ahead. peace, DPH