Abby Marateck, LMFT

Sometimes people look perplexed when I tell them that I love working with grief and loss. I respect and honor all of the different feelings wrapped up into one life-altering experience. There's space for it all. Here's an article I read this morning in the NY Times. Knowing what to say to the person who is seriously ill can be a baffling moment. Kate Bowler give us her perspective. https://www.nytimes.com//o/sunday/cancer-what-to-say.html

I'm so excited to share my first interview on my "Abby Asks" blog. It's with my childhood friend Carrie Neal Walden who is amazing. Please give it a read to find out why she is truly inspirational. https://www.abigailtherapy.com//abby-asks-interview-1-carr

This beautiful essay is written by my friend Timothy Braun. It's about love in hard times and making meaning out of pain. I love it. I hope you will too. http://www.austinmonthly.com//A-Local-Playwright-Reflects/

My sweet office plant greeted me with a peace lily bloom. I'll take it as a good omen

A client of mine gave me a magazine to read called The Sun (like gave it to me many months ago). I always feel so scattered and unable to sit and read - but I picked it up today and turned to this lovely piece by Pema Chodron called Transforming The Heart of Suffering. Read it - it's short. It's about the practice of tonglen and it's super inspiring, beautiful, and perfect for the here and now. https://www.lionsroar.com/transforming-the-heart-of-suffer/

In almost every session I've had lately this same theme has reemerged - why are we all so hard on ourselves?! I would never be so harsh to a friend, but sometimes can be so harsh on myself. So my post today has to do with self compassion. Nobody's perfect. http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015//how-to-improve-self-esteem/

I don't know statistically how many individuals I see with depression - but it is a lot. It is a common, weighty monster that keeps us therapists on our toes. I also work with clients who have had a loved one suicide. I have also experienced losing more than one person to suicide. It's a baffling heartbreaking experience. I've seen some of my friends post this article. I've been thinking about suicide a lot lately with the death of Chris Cornell - someone very tied to my gen...eration X. While there may still be a tie to his use of anti-anxiety medication - the fact remains that he experienced something very dark. Depression IS treatable. Our brain is an organ and everyone's organ functions differently with variable combinations of chemicals and electricity and elusive stuff I can't speak to as a non-medical person.There is a way out of depression. I've seen it happen. Don't suffer alone. https://thefirsttenwords.wordpress.com//its-not-what-you-/ See more

What makes networking fun when you really don't like networking? Going with a friend! Jaime Filler, LMFT and I work it at the Decatur Business Association monthly meeting. Check her out at http://www.jaimefillercounseling.com/ She's in Decatur and specializes in Maternal Mental Health.

Feeling scattered and unmotivated? Here's a post from a blog I really like because Eric Barker provides the scientific research to back up the suggestions. This one stuck with me http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2016/11/motivated/

Feeling sad? See a therapist...or hire a clown to personally entertain you. Here's a short from one of my favorite comedians - Tig Notaro. https://vimeo.com/212505740