March 2019 - Alison Cook, Ph.D.

What if loneliness was a gift?

By Alison Cook | March 21, 2019

Loneliness gets a bad rap. And for good reason. One of our deepest, most basic human needs is to experience healthy attachment—or in non-psychological terms, to experience loving connection with someone who sees us. When you stop numbing, one of the first painful emotions you may encounter is loneliness. And loneliness is a double-whammy. It often...

7 vulnerable feelings that surface when you stop numbing

By Alison Cook | March 13, 2019

As you peel back the layers of numbing behaviors, you might notice new feelings that surface—vulnerable feelings that may be uncomfortable or unpleasant. There’s a reason we numb. Don’t be alarmed. Those painful feelings are presenting themselves for healing. Look at these feelings as an opportunity to take a You-Turn and gain insight into your...

A note to all our numbing pain avoiders

By Alison Cook | March 7, 2019

As Lent arrives, I see you, my impulsive, sometimes sneaky, pleasure seeking little numbing sidekick. But here’s the thing my dear, young, “I want what I want when I want it” self. God wants more for you. He really does. And I’m not just saying that because I’m supposed to. You see, I’ve encountered the...

Losing it with your loved ones? Try these 2 things.

By Alison Cook | March 1, 2019

Are you losing it with your loved ones? Maybe you’re yelling at your kids. . .Or you’re bitter with your spouse, and it’s coming out in sarcastic digs. Sometimes you might just be swearing to high-heaven inside your mind – muttering words under your breath you’d never let anyone hear. When anger festers, it doesn’t...