Anna Sherman Registered Psychotherapist

01/12/2025

11/25/2024

11/13/2024

5 Things I Learned In Italy
(Through The Eyes Of A Therapist)

✨ 1. Italians 🇮🇹 express their emotions openly, without shame.

While travelling in Italy, 🇮🇹 we were privileged to have several locals share with us their painful stories💔 of losing loved ones, divorce and family conflict.
They were not embarrassed to share their true feelings or shed a tear. 😢

✨ 2. Italians 🇮🇹 work to live.

They choose to enjoy life and the simple things that life brings, from meals with the family to outings in nature 🍃 or a football 🏈 game with friends.

Mealtime is taken seriously; sitting down with a complete meal and a significant break in the middle of the day for lunch.

Dinner is eaten late in the evening, usually joined by family or friends. People don’t tend to just grab a bite while walking or sitting in their car.

✨ 3. Diet culture in Italy…. Is not a thing.

While an active lifestyle, (walking running and biking) 🚴 is the norm, so are gelato shops, 🍨 bakeries, cafes ☕️ and pizzerias. 🍕
Treats are sold on every block, and are enjoyed throughout the day, while portion size is small. There are no small, medium, large options for gelato, the choices are small cup or small cone.🍦

✨4. Italians 🇮🇹 carry tremendous pride in their lineage and the professions they work in.

We were privy to several fascinating stories of Italian 🇮🇹 families who could trace their lineage back to the second century BC.
We were also warmly invited by restaurant owners, sculptors, clothing designers, jewelers and small independent shop owners to come into their work spaces and learn about their trades.

✨ 5. Most importantly, family and the well-being of loved 🥰 ones are the strongest values of all.

It is not uncommon for extended families in Italy 🇮🇹 to share a large weekly or monthly meal where they can catch up and connect.

Aperetivo, the pre-dinner drink🍹hour, is a cultural ritual where Italians 🇮🇹go out for a drink and light snack between work and dinner.
It is a beautiful time when families and friends unwind from the day and socialize before going home for the evening.❤️
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🇮🇹

01/25/2024

We did it!!! So happy to have the privilege of training in EMDR therapy with these amazing people. I love my colleagues.❤️

10/17/2023

Holding space right now for all of my “frolleagues” who have been holding up the mental health of the community. ❤️

Guys, should we add this term to the English language❓

psychotherapy



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09/18/2023

🍎It’s that time of year again!🍯

❓So what do you say??

Here are some handy alternatives:⬇️

✨Thank you for the apology. It’s been really hard for me.

✨I accept your apology.

✨Thank you for your apology, but I don’t feel ready to forgive you.

✨I forgive you, but what you did really hurt me.

✨I understand you want to make peace, but this is not ok.

✨I need some time.

✨I need some space.

✨What are you sorry for? 😂

❓Got one to add? Please share your ideas below! ⬇️
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09/15/2023

🍎 Shana Tova everyone!

✨This week has been awful, to say the least, full of unexpected twists and turns.

✨But one thing that has been top of mind, is that when G-d closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.

✨What’s meant to be yours will never leave you, and what’s not meant to be yours, is not something you need!

✨Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
🍎 🍯
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08/29/2023

❓Ever heard the expression,
“Actions speak louder than words?”

✨I am sure we have all experienced what is known as, “the big talker.” The one who always has an excuse, explanation, or story to convince you of why they behave the way that they do.

✨Too much time with “the big talker” might have you convinced of what he or she is saying, but it will NOT leave you emotionally validated or feeling understood.

✨A large part of what makes up a person’s character is in the actions they do, not the words that they say.

✨Speaking one way but behaving in another is usually a sign that someone is not entirely honest about who they are, and is not willing to take responsibility for their actions.

❓Have you ever experienced this kind of interaction in your life?

❓How did it leave you feeling?
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07/13/2023

✨Who’s had enough of “positive vibes only?”

How many times have you known someone to be happy and seemingly perfect all the time, only to find out later that this person has a complex life with grievances just like everyone else?

✨The ability to be authentic with other people, may feel scary or unfamiliar, especially for those who have grown up in an environment where the perfect image was considered an important value.

However, relationships and connections built on false presentations can only go so deep before they burn out from the exhaustion of keeping up a perfect facade.

✨Authenticity, realness and honesty, may not always be pretty, but they do allow us to form deeper, more meaningful connections with others.

❓ Which do you prefer?
Being your authentic self around people or pretending everything is perfect and falling apart in private?

Please share your answers below ⬇️
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06/27/2023

✨Tag someone who made you feel this way.✨
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06/11/2023

*Tag someone who needs to hear this.
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