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Here are Patti Carmalt-Vener M.F.T. ‘s latest columns from
Pasadena Weekly, Oxygen Magazine,
Pasadena Cosmopolitan, Arcadia Weekly, Monrovia Weekly,
and Sierra Madre Weekly

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pasadena weekly
Patti's Pasadena Weekly
"Well Being" Column

High Expectations

At the end of the day, you don’t have to please anyone but yourselft ... read more

rules of engagement
Rules of Engagement

What to do — and not do — when push comes to shove ... read more

down but in denial
Down but in denial

In trying to understand others, you could be contributing to ... read more

perils of porno
Perils of Porno

Cybersex addiction tough but
treatable ... read more

fresh start
Stick to your guns

You can be warm to loved ones and still firm about what you want ... read more

fresh start
Mirror, Mirror ...

Be wary of attempts at being more beautiful evolving into ... read more

fresh start
Just listen to yourself

‘Hear’ what your body’s telling you, then find the ... read more

fresh start
They are what you eat

Providing kids with healthy food helps them practice good self-care,... read more

fresh start
Persistence pays

Focus, accountability and
commitment are critical... read more

fresh start
Fresh Start

New Year is the right time to resolve to change for the better ... read more

christmas on the run
Christmas on the run

A trip to Grandma’s tests a family’s unity during challenging times ... read more

gift just for you
A gift just for you

Pamper yourself to beat stress over
hectic holiday tasks ... read more

perfect hostess
The perfect hostess

Be sure your holiday feast doesn’t feature too many cooks ... read more

loving you
Loving you

Recognize the damage you’ve done to yourself and commit ... read more

thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing

Get kids into the holiday spirit by establishing gratitude ... read more

what else isn't true
Hmmm ... What else isn't true?

It’s important to quickly dispel fibs told in the early stages ... read more

working at love
Working at love

A co-worker’s intimate game of footsies with a customer leads to ... read more

nowhere to turn
Nowhere to turn

Unplanned teen pregnancy is one of the times that tests ... read more

swinging back into life
Swinging back into Life

Single parents who are dating again need to pay to potential red flags ... read more

daddy dumbest
Daddy dumbest

Single parents need to be mindful of their children when pursuing ... read more

differently abled
Differently abled

Asperger's adults have some shortcomings but lots .. read more

change for the best
Change for the better

Six ways to to take back your life and work on your own happiness ... read more

imagining the best
Imagining the best

Practice, preparation and relaxation
can help overcome... read more

baby steps
Baby Steps

Changes are challenging
for habitual hoarders ... read more

doing the right thing
Doing the Right Thing

A friendly request for help can prompt serious questions ... read more

silent treatment
Silent treatment

Can a vow of silence help
enhance a relationship ... read more

mother's warmth
Seeking mother's warmth

The reasons for how we react to some people may have deeper ... read more

overboarding
'Overboarding' through life

The reasons for how we react to some people may have deeper ... read more

little victories
Little victories

Take small steps to help build a youngster's self-esteem ... read more

when love isnt' equal
It takes two

Boundaries need to be established to keep bullies at bay ... read more

when love isnt' equal
A need to belong

Emotional ties to others sow the seeds of human happiness ... read more

when love isnt' equal
A heartbreaking choice

Deciding on bearing a deformed baby is too tough to do solo ... read more

when love isnt' equal
Be all you can be

Staying true to your rightful nature can lead you to discover ... read more

when love isnt' equal
Phobic and friendless

People suffering with Avoidant Personality Disorder must want change ... read more

when love isnt' equal
When love isn't equal

Teaching self-compassion is one way to help kids overcome rejection ... read more

loving the other woman
Loving the other woman

Separating needs from wants may be best for teen daughters ... read more

lets talk
Let's talk

Sex it great, but sometimes a little cuddling us is better ... read more

right to love
The right to love

A person must earn the right to
be itimate and real ... read more

grandmas grief
Don't ignore grandma's grief

... read more

imagining the worst
In search of love

Fear of intimacy may lead to beliefs that love is wrong and... read more

imagining the worst
Be your own best boss

... read more

setting limits
Setting limits

Cast an encouraging but wary eye at an exploring toddler ... read more

imagining the worst
Words hurt ... and bind

If verbal abusers are to be forgiven, they need to sign a formal ... read more

imagining the worst
Imagining the worst

Worry that makes you sweat and lose sleep ... read more

keep your hat on
Keep your hat on

With age, celebrate the good things in a changing life, ... read more

oxygen mag
Patti's Oxygen
"Ask an Expert " Column

deepest pain
Relationships -

Healthy relationship, Healthy livestyle ..
read more


pasadena weekly
Patti's Pasadena Weekly
"Well Being" Column (cont.)


deepest pain
The Thoughts that Count

Absent dad plus angry mom adds up to a rough holiday. .. read more

inner visions
Inner Visions

Letting your wise inner self show you something beautiful. .. read more

deepest pain
Life in metaphor

Different dream symbols tell us similar things about our lives ... read more

good deed
No good deed

Be supportive and patient while sharing painful holiday memories ...read more

obsessive
Obsessively yours

Don’t let a family member’s oppressive ocd symptoms ruin your life ...read more

grandparent
The parenting grandparent

Tragedy presents new challenges to a baby and his single grandpa ...read more

rules to live by
Rules to live by

Set parameters for how far grandparents can go when babysitting ...read more

secret sharer
Secret Sharer

Take stock and recognize the beauty that lies within .. read more

deepest pain
Under Control

Tourette's syndrome can be complicated, and misdiagnosed .. read more

deepest pain
The deepest pain

Just being there is enough..
read more

deepest pain
Well being

Cyclothymia and how do deal with it. .. read more

deepest pain
The thought really does count

Treat your wife as you would a rare treasure. .. read more

letting go
Letting Go

Insist on being with someone who
loves only you. .. read more

tough choices
Tough Choices

Try some hard truth when being
scared just isn't enough. .. read more

transferring pain
Transferring Pain

Letting negative feelings for some spill over into relationships with others .. read more

pain killers
Pain Killers

Suicides are sometimes the result of misplaced pain, rage or guilt. .. read more

deepest pain
The Illustrated Son

Mental health can’t be measured by the ink a person puts on their body ... read more

deepest pain
Staying friends

People who feel they’re drifting apart can help each other change ... read more

deepest pain

Don't hold back

Fear of intimacy can lead to resistance to impulses, ... read more


helping hands
Helping hands

Empathy, acceptance,and love are what depressed loved ones need ,., read more

healthy anger
Healthy anger

Steadfast love .. read more

grumpy bear chair
The Grumpy Bear Chair

Very young kids need guidance — not punishment... read more

addiction
Addiction

Never give up hope..
read more

fears barriers
Fear's barriers

People seeking help put up walls when faced with powerful emotions ... read more

beautiful you
Beautiful you

Growing past the ugly duckling of yesteryear ... read more

nobody perfect
Nobody's perfect

Poor body image can lead to problems.. read more

the way back
The way back

Reuniting is a
two-way street ... read more

puppy love
Puppy love

Early lessons in pet ownership
will last a lifetime ... read more

clicking with therapist
Clicking' with your therapist

Don’t rush into selecting the person ...
read more

taske 3
It takes three.

Let's look at you, me and us....
read more

free to be
Free to be

Some people need more help than others in gaining independence... read more

special love
Extra-special love

There are no easy answers to caring for a mentally challenged... read more

special love
Rivals for life

read more

special love
Say what?

Really listening is often the hardest part of communicating ... read more

special love
Time to quit

We all know smoking is bad, but here are a few ways to help ... read more

special love
Cutting into bigger problems

Self-mutilators have unusually strong emotions that rise fast and ... read more

special love
Don't panic!

Focus on thoughts, feelings and senses to conquer fears... read more

not your fault
It's not your fault

Rape victims must place blame where it belongs , ... read more

envisioning you
Envisioning you

Don't let engulfment or defiance lead to losing your unique ... read more

sorry
When sorry isn't good enough

Reconnecting with spouses who cheat is easier said than done ... read more

a little understanding
A little understanding

Knowledge and compassion are two good tools, helping kids with autism... read more

saying no
Saying no, in a loving way

A borderline mom may be a queen, but her daughter is not ... read more

not ok
Your Not OK, I'm Not OK

Therapy can't change reality, but it can help us better deal with ... read more

above the fray
Above the fray

Kids caught in the middle of separation need parents focusing, ... read more