I sometimes introduce myself as YodaNinja. "Yoda on the outside, Ninja on the inside." Outside, I seem calm and composed. When I speak (or write), what I say can be profound, perplexing... or both. But my inner world is another story. Deep inside of me is a Ninja battleground where thoughts, emotions, ideas, and utter randomness all fight for my attention. Every once in a while, they actually cooperate and I have to say, I'm deadly. But then they go at it again... and "Everybody is Kung Fu fighting." I'm a dad, a husband and a guy whose mind has a mind of it's own. My recovery from my addiction to numbing myself (with pretty much anything I can get my hands on) is a lifelong journey. I live with depression, anxiety and adhd... and sometimes they don't get along very well with my family, or with the rest of my life. Professionaly, I make my living as a Counselling Therapist in Edmonton, Canada. I teach on addiction and psychopathology at City University, and I have a small counselling practice where I use superheroes and other geeky stuff to help people make peace with their own personal YodaNinja. This blog is part of my healing and writing keeps me grounded. I hope that something I have written may add a little bit to your journey. Keep it Real
by The Talk of Taylor. Used with permission. People—it’s time to get real. Life is hard, and no one can deny that; no one would dare to try. But having a hard time and struggling with mental health are not one in the same.One is not valid while the other is a made up, imaginary … More Guest Post: Our Brains are sick, but that’s OK
For article about recovery and learning to live with risk, click on the photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest and best … More Recovery and the Courage to Live With Risk
You are moving forward in your recovery when you feel uncomfortable and more alive at the same time. ___ What doesn’t kill you, still almost killed you. Happy Thought Recovery and risk I try to avoid things that could eat me, squash me or otherwise send me into hypothermia. I stay away from bears, speeding … More Recovery and Learning to Live With Risk
For article, “The 11 Lessons for Success in Addiction Recovery,” click on photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest and best of … More Your Lifestyle Is Your Therapy
For article, “The 11 Lessons for Success in Addiction Recovery,” click on photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest and best of … More In Recovery, Discomfort is Never Terminal
For article, “The 11 Lessons for Success in Addiction Recovery,” click on photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest and best of … More You’re not Dysfunctional, You’re Just Normal
For article on the 20 words that can change your recovery and your relationships, click on photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the … More Without Seeing there is No Insight
I have worked as a counselor for more than 25 years. For 11 of those years I have worked as an Addiction Therapist. I teach on the Psychology of Addiction, but my experience is not only from my day job or my academic role. I have had bouts of addiction to food and I have … More 11 Lessons for Success in Addiction Recovery
For article on how to avoid being a stubborn jackass in recovery, click on the photo above. I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain. Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest … More Recovery is Hard but Being a Stubborn Jackass is Optional
Recovery is hard but being a stubborn jackass is optional. ___ Warning: This post is hard stuff. Relationships are not part of your recovery, they are your recovery. Recently I wrote in my journal these powerful and inspiring words: Relationships are my recovery. The quality and depth of my relationships says a great deal about … More How Not to be a Stubborn Jackass in Your Recovery
Getting High on Recovery 