David O Saenz, PhD, EdM, LLC- Licensed Psychologist

08/16/2025

08/07/2025

Years of working with those who want to end their life tells me that the core of suicidal thinking is often prolonged and deep despair, unrelenting pain and suffering, an inability to tolerate a part of themself that is unbearable (e.g., history of trauma, all-consuming grief and mourning, feelings of being worthless/ not good enough, or helplessness and hopelessness).

Wanting to end ones' suffering often translates into wanting to end life, because that's the only option they feel is left. Suicidal thoughts are not a weakness, it's a cruel myth that if only they were stronger or tougher, or if only they weren't so selfish, or maybe they're just "crazy", it could have been prevented.

None of the many souls I've known who've attempted or were successful saw it as an option...it was the only choice they believed they had. Stigmatizimg them only pushes them deeper into their suffering with an inevitable result.

08/01/2025

Our most error-filled stories are the ones we've committed to and therefore ones we never think to question.

07/25/2025

A bit of pre-weekend humor with a sobering truth. Everyone have an amazing, enjoyable, and peaceful weekend.

06/11/2025

To the children of the world, most parents want fewer things and more time, love, affection, conversation and connection with their adult children.

05/25/2025

A little background on this. Every 2-3 weeks I send a ridiculous picture to my family to stay connected. Of course, they all think I'm silly and even a bit loco. Either way, it's my way of letting them know I'm always thinking about them.

Of course, it would be much easier to send pictures we took of them over the decades, but that would horrify them (imagine a pic of yourself still in diapers or running buck naked in the back yard).

Whatver is said, they'll always remember Dad who was a bit cray and who loved them with all of his heart.

05/23/2025

The heaviest struggle many children have to carry is their parents' unhealed/damaged self.

05/16/2025

"PAIN IS INEVITABLE―SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL"―UNKOWN

Most of our suffering is self created from the patterns we’ve adopted, our beliefs, or our repeated decisions/choices. A few things we do to sustain this suffering:
1. Believing our inner drama (critic, spinning negative tales) despite reality
2. Excessive self criticism or self doubt
3. Excessive blaming of self or others
4. Maintaining self destructive habits or addictions
5. Trying to control others/being controlling

05/11/2025

I've been a migrant worker, a husband, a father, a teacher and so many other roles―but I've never been a son to a biological mother or biological father. To the many strong, independant, incredible "mother's" who raised me both in Mexico and the US, you are forever in my heart, in my breath and in my walk.

To Doña Consuelo who was my 1st mother (7 years), and to the other mothers who deeply touched me―Enedina, Esther, Tomasa, Luz, and a few other mothers (whose names I've forgotten) who influenced me as a child. You were and still are a gift to me!

Lovingly,
David