Louise Lague, MA NCC /  The Transitions of  Midlife

National Certified Counselor

Specializing in Midlife Issues

Typical issues of midlife include divorce, care of elderly parents, adult orphanhood, empty nest, disillusionment or dismissal at work, relationship problems, chronic pain, post-surgical depression, loneliness and lack of motivation. We often find that the methods we used to survive as children and young adults are now working against us. 

My job is to help you identify those behaviors and patterns of thinking, carefully helping you to change and grow into the fulfilled, authentic, joyous person you are meant to be.

News:

I"m happy to announce that I've joined the Portland Hills Mind and Body Center on SW 21st Ave. This lovely 1904 Victorian houses  two floors of practitoners of massage, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine , and several of us counselors. It's a beautiful space full of cheerful colors, light filled windows, and a terrific view of downtown Portland. Check out our website at www,portlandhills.com.

Thoughts for September

The Basics of Happiness,

Part I

Recently, a local convention organizer asked me to give a presentation about happiness for his group. Just that. Happiness.I happily delved into the science of Positive Psychology, the study of what happy people know, and what techniques work to make people happier than they are. There is a great deal to this -- fortunately --and I've decided to share it with you bit by bit.

The number one barrier to happiness is not the occurence of bad things. Bad things will occur, even to good people. The big barrier is fear, a very natural fear that we all have, of not being enough, or not having enough.

The antidote to fear is love. Now, love is a big word that can go off in all directions, but the easiest and most powerful form is appreciation..  Appreciation is a very pure form of love.

It's loving something that is not necessarily going to love you back.  

Everyday I drive downtown and I see Mt. Hood in the distance --big, white, powerful, beautiful/. I appreciate its beauty and its eternal meaning, but Mt. Hood doesn't give a darn about me. That's appreciation.

Here's the cool part. Our brains cannot hold fear and appreciation at the same time. Those two parts of the brain will not work at once.  (continued on pscyoblog page)