Spirituality, as I’ve mentioned before, is “whatever gives your life meaning.” You have the freedom to find it through your own heart rather than as others define it. A spiritual experience can take many forms—the simple enjoyment of an afternoon with a beloved pet, or on a hike through nature. Meaning and purpose in recovery tend to coalesce around big-ticket items like forgiveness, getting in touch . . .
Continue reading...Religion
Problematic Porn Use and Moral Incongruence (Part 2)
Action Steps for Clients:
Find a licensed therapist or counselor who has training in “moral incongruence.” Although therapists can always learn from their clients, it’s best to work with someone who truly understands these intricate . . .
Continue reading...Problematic Porn Use and Moral Incongruence (Part 1)
Until recently, I wasn’t familiar with the term moral incongruence, but I’ve had clients through the years describe the effects of growing up in ultra-conservative families usually within strict religious communities that labeled pornography as sinful. As a liberal Jewish therapist, these stories always surprise me, but I continue to learn about the suffering associated with such complicated . . .
Continue reading...The Necessity of Pleasure (Part 1)
Face it. It’s been a few hundred years since Puritanical beliefs thrived in early America when sex for pleasure was seen as morally wrong. Yet, religious dogma continues to exist in our society today, and some faith communities still contribute to confusion and shame based on rigid, outdated rules . . .
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