top of page
Serving California Residents with Online Therapy
Lisa Sonin Larsen, PsyD (CA Lic.# PSY19046)
3123 W. Ave. L 8, Lancaster, CA 93536
Phone: 661-233-6771
Welcome
to My Blog

Life throws lots of stressful situations at us on a regular basis. We do our best to handle it, sometimes by yourself and sometimes with others' advice. Here are some articles that explain what you might be experiencing as a trauma survivor, mourner, or person getting through this complex world, one day at a time. They're not meant to replace diagnosis or medical advice, but they can help you sort some things out for yourself. Hope you enjoy them.
Search


Avoiding the Comparison Trap
Learn how comparing yourself to others—or life before a loss—can worsen grief or self-esteem, and how to break free from the comparison trap.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jun 214 min read


Mourning a Loss from Chronic Illness
You might not realizing how you're mourning a loss of your health and mobility if you have a chronic illness or pain. Yet it's important to attend to the grief you feel so you can adjust to the demands of your health. This post explains how.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
May 254 min read


5 Things You Can Do to Support People With Mental Illness During Mental Health Awareness Month
How can you support people with mental illness during Mental Health Awareness Month? This post gives 5 tips to help create a better world where you are.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
May 114 min read


Drowning the Pain: Understanding Grief’s Role in Addiction
Are you at risk for addiction in the midst of your grief? Are you using drugs or alcohol to escape the pain from your loss? This post gives warning signs and advice for better coping.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Apr 203 min read


Why You Feel Anxious After a Loss
If you're anxious after a loss, that's understandable. This post explains anxiety in grief and how you can cope with it healthier.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Mar 304 min read


Review of Mary-Frances O’Connor PhD’s The Grieving Brain
This review of The Grieving Brain describes what the book has to offer and why it can help mourners cope with grief better.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Feb 103 min read


Coping with Unexpected Loss
This post explains the challenge of coping with unexpected losses and has advice for how to deal with them.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Feb 23 min read


Finding Strength: How Gratitude Can Help You Through Tragedy
Discover how gratitude can be a lifeline through tragedy. Learn how to find strength and self-compassion in the face of loss and trauma.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Nov 18, 20244 min read


Teen Grief
If you teen is experiencing grief, this post can help you understand their experience and help them cope better.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Nov 4, 20244 min read


Non-Death Types of Losses in Grief
Not all losses come from deaths. This post covers non-death losses and the grief that ensues, and how to cope with these losses.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Sep 11, 20244 min read


Pain is Subjective
Discover the complexities of pain and trauma. Learn how self-compassion & understanding can ease the suffering.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Aug 12, 20244 min read


Coping Skills for Grief
How do you cope with grief? This post covers coping skills and how to use them in your bereavement.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Aug 6, 20247 min read


Depression and Complicated Grief
Depression and complicated grief can co-exist, but they are different experiences. This helps understand the differences.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jul 4, 20242 min read


How to Grieve Mindfully and Heal
How do you grieve without getting caught up in the emotional storms that sweep you up? Mindful grieving can help. Read more for tips.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jul 1, 20244 min read


The Untimely Death of Taylor Hawkins
How do we make sense of Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters' untimely death? What does it mean when people die so young? This explores that.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jun 17, 20244 min read


Healing from Trauma to Navigate Grief
In order to heal well from loss, it helps to work through previous traumatic events. Ashley Judd's grief journey can provide a good example.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jan 18, 20244 min read


The Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Altruism & Volunteering
Wondering how volunteering and altruism can help your mental health? Learn some of the ways you can overcome depression this way

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Jan 7, 20244 min read


Tips to Beat the Post-Holiday Blues
Feeling down this holiday season? There are many reasons you might have the holiday blues. This discusses ways to cope better.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Dec 19, 20234 min read


What to Say to a Grieving Friend
Are you stumped about how to help someone through grief and loss? Read this post to learn what to say when someone loses a loved one.

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Nov 25, 20237 min read


5 Benefits of Gratitude
There are at least 5 benefits of gratitude for your mental and physical wellbeing, including better mental health and improved

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
Nov 19, 20233 min read
bottom of page