You CAN Overcome An Abusive Past [EXPERT]

This powerful process that enables you to heal from childhood abuse & create loving relationships.

In the 43 years I have been counseling individuals, I have worked with many who have suffered from severe physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse in childhood. Many of those who sought my help were suffering from fear and anxiety, depression, various addictions, relationship problems and sexual problems.

sad child — A rough childhood can lead to relationship challenges later on.

Study: Childhood Abuse Leads To Relationship Troubles

Childhood emotional abuse often leads to self-criticism, which spells trouble for relationships.

People often joke that, despite our best efforts not to, we grow up to mirror the habits and behaviors of our parents. Unfortunately, this age-old concept now stretches even further, and it may be affecting romantic relationships.

How My Miscarriage Taught Me To Love Myself [EXPERT]

One woman's journey from self-loathing to self-love.

Then, last year, a week after Mother's Day, I finally figured out what authentic beauty was. On May 16th, 2011, I gave birth to and subsequently lost my daughter during my fifth month of pregnancy. During my pregnancy, I gleefully packed on 30 pounds, feeling plump and beautiful. My extraordinary weight gain became a thing of humor. I called myself the clumsy walrus on a daily basis.

Eat all the cookies you want, 'cause it's International No Diet Day.

Accept Your Body: Happy International No Diet Day!

Time to love your love handles, ladies.

Since its creation in 1992, Mary Evans Young, the director of the British group "Diet Breakers" (someone sign me up, please!), not only is International No Diet Day about accepting your body and the fact that no two bodies are alike, but it's also dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and that moderation is your friend.

pinch belly love handles — "'I hate my stomach,' I said every time my girlfriends and I talked body grievances."

Why I Love My Body (Even Without Six-Pack Abs)

One writer learns to love her body despite its imperfections.

The other day I tried on a bathing suit. I could see the benefits of hitting the gym, though I was once again disheartened by the extra skin on my stomach. I pinched an inch and frowned...

The Importance Of Self-Esteem For Lasting Relationships [EXPERT]

For a lasting relationship you need to be completely happy with who you are and good self-esteem!

Different people have different views when it comes to the idea of a romantic relationship. One clinical study stated that romantic love is basically one's unique emotional state of great calm, intense excitement, and improved well-being when the partner is present. Scientists also believe that a romantic and loving relationship is powerful but an irrational addiction or attraction. They mainly characterize the feeling as a temporary phenomenon that is mostly comprised of sexual fantasies that easily diminish over time.

Facebook Syndrome: Do You Have The Disease? [EXPERT]

What to do when you fall victim to Facebook syndrome & how to cure the disease.

It's truly an epidemic. No, not Facebook. Facebook is a phenomenon designed to connect us in ways we never conceived of. It is truly the greatest medium for sparking new relationships and revitalizing old ones — from spying on old classmates to sending electronic margaritas, who would have imagined?! But what happens when we get too much of a good thing? We develop a deadly disease known as "Facebook Syndrome." Have you caught the illness? Check out the list below to see if you suffer from the following symptoms!

What 2 Things Help Bring Success Into Your Life? [EXPERT]

When you look and feel confident,success will be drawn towards you. Others will want to be with you!

Success in life, friendship, business, family dynamics and spiritual growth has self-confidence and self-esteem at the foundation. People who have a confidence in their personal worth seem to be magnets for success and happiness everywhere they go. As parents and caring adults you will want to share methods and techniques to build self-confidence with the young people in your circle of influence. One of the most important part of teaching a life-skill is to improve the concept in our own lives.

Did Barbie Mess With Your Mind? [EXPERT]

Growing up with Barbie was fun, but boy...what a mess she made of my self esteem! What about you?

When I was a young girl, I played with Barbie dolls. I had a whole collection of them; about 20 or so of all of these different forms of beautiful, blonde and skinny-curvy Barbies. I read the fairy tales of beautiful princesses being rescued by handsome wealthy powerful princes and was essentially brainwashed into believing that somehow my body, my hair and my eyes weren't good enough. I grew up believing that I needed to be taller, I needed to be skinny...and that somehow God didn't know that I was supposed to have straight hair!

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models & Your Self Esteem [EXPERT]

Are you comparing yourself to the latest Sports Illustrated models & feeling deficient?

Each year when the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is released I hear about it. Not because I'm a big fan of swimsuits, or super models, or even of sports for that matter, but because my therapist husband (as a recovering sex addict) specializes in helping men whose sexual behaviors have become self-defeating in ways that are interfering with day-to-day living—causing stress on family members, friends and/or work. These guys have issues around sexualizing and objectifying women so they can tend to have more than just a passing awareness of the winter release of that swimsuit model issue.

How To Cultivate Your Individuality [EXPERT]

Tips to remind you that being yourself can make all the difference in your life.

There is no one on this earth like me. According to Wikipedia, individuality or selfhood is the state or quality of being an individual; a person separate from other persons and possessing his or her own needs or goals. It means being self expressive and independent. Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?