Wellness Blog: Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT

Why Don't More People Do Premarital Counseling?

Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:31:38 GMT

As a relationship therapist, I find it interesting that more people don't do premarital counseling. I was thinking that perhaps people are in such a "honeymoon" phase they think to themselves:

"We don't need that...we're so in love....etc."

This might be true for the moment but what about a few years down the line when the marriage gets thrown a few curve balls? Life has a tendency to do that.

Career-Change Therapy

Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:24:06 GMT

I've been thinking a lot lately about my previous career and how happy I am to have made the decision to leave it behind. I was very dissatisfied and unfulfulled in the Movie/Television production business in L.A. where I was an Assistant Director. As I look back on that - and my decision to leave it - it was kind of like "Career-Change Therapy."

Gratitude Journal Anyone?

Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:04:13 GMT

Life's been throwing me a few curve balls recently and I've been thinking seriously about making priority shifts. It dawned on me that now would be a great time to also begin a gratitude journal. I've spoken to my own clients before about the benefits of a gratitude journal - particularly when things seem bleak or they have a "glass half empty" attitude which is so easy for any of us to slip into! However, I've never done one myself and it's time to put my actions behind my words. I'll be keeping it next to my bed because I know myself well enough to know that if I don't - I won't touch it.

Do I Tell People I'm a Therapist?

Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:03:27 GMT

I've had interesting social experiences lately when people have learned that I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist...I was at a party last weekend and this guy that I've seen around at similar gatherings came up to me and said, "So I hear you're a shrink?" I politely corrected him, "I'm not a psychiatrist but a Marriage and Family Therapist..." He paused and retorted, "Same thing." My husband was standing near me and the guy quipped to him, "You should be scared of that." I know he was joking but in a way it got me thinking about some of the preconcieved ideas people have about therapists.

Had a Bad Therapy Experience?

Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:01:44 GMT

After all that I've written about what to expect in therapy/counseling, whether the process "works" and the like - I got to wondering about what some of the bad therapy experiences people out there have had. Therapists are "people" too who have lapses in judgement, have made mistakes or been downright unethical! Or it might be a matter of personality mismatch.

I'm curious to know if anyone is interested in sharing their story by commenting to this post.