Betsey Lebow, Therapist

09/24/2019

New blog post - live today!

07/02/2018

HOW MUCH ENERGY?

Desiderata 2 “As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.” How much energy does it take to be on good terms with all persons? At first glance, it may seem like way too much. But let’s break it down. 'Good terms' doesn’t mean you’re best friends with everybody....

06/07/2018

I found inspiration from a poem as a child. Where do you get your inspiration?

When I was growing up we had a poem hanging in the powder room (fancy for what we used to call a “bathroom”) off my kitchen. I likely read the poem over 5,000 times in the 14 years I lived in that house.  Of course, I memorized it; how could I not? What was less obvious was how profound an

06/07/2018

This shaped me...what shaped you?

When I was growing up we had a poem hanging in the powder room (fancy for what we used to call a “bathroom”) off my kitchen. I likely read the poem over 5,000 times in the 14 years I lived in that house.  Of course, I memorized it; how could I not? What was less obvious was how profound an

04/16/2018

Fear and Bravery

There is an often quoted portion of American poet Mary Oliver’s 1992 poem, and it goes like this: Tell me - what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life. Wild and precious! I’m not sure we think of our lives that way while deep in our everyday routines, but what a wonderful v

02/08/2018

Do you procrastinate too?

Happy new year! How much longer can I legit offer that greeting? A few more weeks. I made up that rule. I'm focusing on the date because I have not published a blog post since November 29th. 2017. I Skipped right over the holidays. It wasn't my plan. It just happened. "It just happened" is

11/29/2017

How was YOUR Thanksgiving?

In our country, we pause during the last Thursday in November every year to commemorate Thanksgiving. The holiday has many meanings but primarily we gather with friends and family to eat, drink, and be merry. Some of us serve meals in houses of worship and community centers to those in our midst who

11/01/2017

Yesterday was just awful.

Yesterday marked another day of terror on this planet. Specifically, it happened 50 miles from where I sit and type. A 29-year-old man, maybe functioning as a ’lone wolf’ terrorized New Yorkers and tourists. He killed eight people and injured 12 or more by plowing them down with a rented tru

10/23/2017

Listen to your elders!

Speaking of relationships, (as I constantly do, just ask my husband!) I have a lovely relationship with a 96-year-old man who happens to be my step-father. He’s also a recent widower. Since my mother died in December I believe he’s been quite lonely. They were married later in life and wer

10/05/2017

Want to take a risk with me?

In 2007 I wrote my first mission statement. In 2014 I noticed I had achieved the goals set forth, (quite shockingly) and needed to create another mission. Ugh. Not just a statement, a mission. Here it is: July 29, 2014: My creativity is the key to my success. As my own boss, I collaborate w

09/18/2017

Comparing My Insides To Your Outsides

I am a relationship therapist. What does that mean? It means when I meet with people who are working through how to deal with, improve, and change their relationships. The important ones. Marriages, parent/child, families of origin ('psychobabble' for parents and siblings). During our expl

08/08/2017

Are you avoiding something? For how long?

We've all heard "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure ." When I was little it was likely said in reference to taking vitamin C or wearing a coat to avoid a cold. I see it differently now that I'm all grown up and fortunate enough to spend my work time helping people naviga