​​​Debbie Magids, PhD​

It is pride month: a time to commemorate how far we have come since the Stonewall Riots while also acknowledging how far we have to go.  As a person who embraces differences, I feel a sense of kinship even though I am not part of this community. My parents were Holocaust survivors.  I am a first generation American.  Although I grew up here with a great life, on the inside I have always identified with difference and persecution.  You cannot psychologically escape these experiences when you are the child of a survivor.  This reflects more than just gender orientation; it reflects how intolerance towards any kind (religious, racial, age, political affiliation – especially now, and etc.) causes so much tragedy in our world. These are some examples of the larger, or ‘macro’ topics. I see it happening regularly on a ‘micro’ level, as well.  The judgments that people have when they experience others who act differently than they do is astounding to me. O...

Soul mates are the people you learn the most from. Mine have taught me the most valuable lessons and helped me grow as a person. They taught me to be less sensitive, less controlling, set boundaries, say no, to put my needs first, be more accepting of people and their faults, and more. The three women who taught me this are Lisa, Shari and Jaime, who are pictured here. Lisa and Shari are my two best friends from childhood. We met when we were 10 years old and have been in each other’s lives for over 40 years. Then I met Jaime 10 years ago. To call them friends would be an understatement, they are my family - my soul connections. Throughout the years we experienced many trials and tribulations in our own lives, ranging from births, deaths, illness, accomplishments and disappointments. Through it all, we have stayed close - forever growing and changing. We never have to worry about anything when we are together… we are able to be our most authentic selves. What is the secret ...

On this Father’s Day, I want to pay tribute to the man who taught me the most precious life lessons by the way he lived his own life. Born in Poland in 1933, my dad was a survivor of the Holocaust; a child during the war, who afforded me all the opportunities he wasn’t able to have. He was ahead of his time. European born men of that generation typically came with the mindset that education and career were far more important for a man, whereby marriage and taking care of the home and children was the real goal for a woman. He wanted me to have an education, a career, and be able to take care of myself just as much as he wanted that for my brother. Not only did he encourage me to go for a PhD, but he cheered for me every step of the way. Just the fact that I existed was enough to make his eyes light up when I walked into a room. I tell my clients: your kids are watching your every move. They will do as you do, not as you say. I know that to be true because my dad taught me the ...

Haley The newest edition to my family is Haley.  She is 2 months and 2 weeks old…I rescued her from the ASPCA (as I did my 4 year old guy Fitz – pictured here when I rescued him as a kitten the same age). The reason she is now part of the family is because I had to put my guy to sleep…Sawyer was sick and it was time…and it was very painful loss. Anyone who loves their pets knows how it feels… Now I have this new energy in the house – filled with excitement, joy, wonderment and love. The circle of life of feeling joy and sadness at the same time. Haley is excited to be alive every minute of every day. The smallest things bring her joy. She is playing, running, purring, and giving and receiving love from me, and her new brother. Everything she sees is a wonderment… The field of positive psychology tells us the things that we need to do to find joy in life: be optimistic, find pleasure, bring fun into your life, give to others, be grateful, connect to the people you ...