No time for mindfulness exercise?  Incorporate informal mindfulness practice in daily life

Nowadays, many people understand the benefits of regular mindfulness exercises, such as enhancing concentration and attention, emotional regulation, stress reduction, or pain management.  However, many clients told me that they cannot commit regular practice due to their tight schedule.  Sometimes, even during holiday, people are reluctant to spend some time for formal mindfulness exercises, including …

What are the common symptoms of dissociation in people with childhood trauma?

A less known symptom in people who have history of childhood trauma is dissociation.  Usually, people are being aware of their depressive mood, anxiety, sleep problems, etc.  When they come to see me, they may tell me that they also experience some symptoms that do not make sense to them.  For example, a client felt …

Our addiction to our pleasurable feelings

From social media to delicious dessert, we may all experience our desire to obtain more pleasurable feelings from various channels.  When we made a posting on social media, we might be tempted to check our accounts more often to see how many “reactions” we obtained from our friends.  When we opened a pack of potatoes …

To treasure the ordinary but essential in our life

A client of mine came to me and told me about her unexpectedly intense grief reaction towards the passing away of her dog.  She mentioned that she felt very empty and sad for a few weeks even after accompanying her dog to go through cancer treatment and expecting her death due to exacerbation of her …

How to learn to trust for those with wounds from childhood trauma?

When I walked to the MTR station today for work, I saw a lady walking her dog in the street.  The dog seemed to be a rescued and adopted dog.  Another old lady was walking nearby with a trolley.  The dog was reluctant to follow the lady to continue the walk.  The dog seemed scared …

Seeing things with Beginner’s Mind

In my practice, it is common for my clients to ask me for a clinical diagnosis for their presenting problems.  Sometimes, they feel more certain for knowing that they have a concrete diagnosis about their issues.  With thorough assessment and continuation of therapy sessions, I often find my client’s presenting problems are only the tip …