Deborah has authored numerous articles since becoming a mental health professional and she is a contributor to various publications that feature emotional health and wellness articles. Here are some of the many works she has authored:
Deborah’s PUBLICATIONS:
4 TYPES OF FRIENDS YOU NEED IN LIFE
The PLUM
ThePlumOnline.com
By Karen Asp
Contributor: Deborah Olson, R.N., M.A., LPC, Author
November 20, 2019
Friends serve an important purpose. “They’re the antidote to difficult times and loneliness,” says Wendy Satin Rapaport, Psy.D., L.C.S.W., a clinical psychologist who splits her time between Boca Raton, Fla., and Rockland, ME., and co-author of Friendship Matters. While friends at all stages of life are critical, they become even more important in your midlife. Why? “If you’re evaluating your life only in terms of your kids or your spouse, you’re only tuned into their points of view; you need friends to give you their perspective on life.”
4 TIPS TO HEAL FROM FRIEND BREAKUPS THAT FEEL JUST AS HEART-WRENCHING AS ROMANTIC SPLITS
Photo: Getty Images/Weedezign
Conversations of heartbreak—and how effects of it can physically hurt, lead you to think mean-spirited thoughts, and even make you smell worse—are popularly centered on the end of romantic relationships. But that leaves out a whole genre of breakup-related pain. Anyone who’s ever dealt with a friend breakup knows that variety can be just as tough to weather. When after months, years, even decades of being someone’s confidante, something cataclysmic or, even worse, hugely insignificant drives you apart, the feelings of heartbreak are certainly real. Beyond that, the situation is oh-so common and commonly ignored. Though a friendship dissolution comes with a lot of the same baggage as romantic breakup, when things are platonic, less sympathy abounds.
“I often hear from female clients they are feeling devastated because of a recent girlfriend friendship that broke up,” says counselor Deborah A. Olson, LPC, author of The Healing Power of Girlfriends. “Some women have a lot of guilt that they should have done something different to prevent it—the ‘woulda-coulda-shoulda” thinking. Others have anger they were treated unfairly or taken advantage of in the friendship or the breakup.”
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HOUSTON AUTHOR PUBLISHES BOOK ON FRIENDSHIPS
Deborah Olson has recently published the book “The Healing Power of Girlfriends.” Olson is a Women’s Emotional Health specialist and works with Galleria Counseling & Consulting in Houston.
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IMPROVE HER HEALTH
The Most Invaluable Self-Help Books for Women Part 2.
VISITING YOUR PARENTS BUT DON’T WANT TO STAY WITH THEM? HERE’S HOW TO LET THEM DOWN EASY.
Q: You’re going home to visit your parents, but you don’t want to stay at their house. How do you tell them without hurting their feelings?
A: The dynamic between adult kids and their parents can be tricky as the rules of engagement change; a shift in attitude, expectations and approach from both generations is required.
If you are planning a trip to see your parents but don’t want to stay with them for whatever reason, frame the news in a way that works for you both. For example, say that you will be arriving late and don’t want to keep them up past midnight. Offer a time to meet for family connection. This will make your parents feel relevant and loved.
Communicate with each other, and be honest and respectful. As parents and adult children are moving through this developmental phase, emotions get revved up. Parents should respect their adult children’s decision-making, and adult kids should respect that their parents will always be in a nurturing role.
— Deborah Olson, professional counselor
A: If you usually stay with your parents, the first time you tell them you’re staying elsewhere will be hard or confusing for them. Let your folks know that you are excited to spend time with them, then share one of these reasons for not staying at their house:
“My childhood bed is just not very comfortable, so I’ve decided to stay at a hotel.”
“I’ll be visiting some friends, and if I stay out late I don’t want you worrying.”
“I don’t want you going all out prepping the guest bedroom like you usually do. I know how much time that takes you.”
“It’s time I act like an adult and let you two have your space. We can focus on quality time versus quantity time.”
Most likely your parents will push back and insist that you’re no trouble, or that they won’t fuss. While you are eager to spend time with them — even pre-plan fun activities for you all to do together — make it clear that you will be staying elsewhere.
— Arden Clise, etiquette trainer
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AS AN ADULT
As a youngster, making friends was as easy as having the same class or loving the same band. As an adult, things are a little more complicated. Between jobs, significant others, kids, bills, and every responsibility under the sun, figuring out how to make friends may feel like an impossible feat. The good news is, not only is it possible to learn how to make friends as an adult, it’s really, really good for you.
“It’s healthy to have other relationships outside of your significant other and family,” says Nicole Sbordone, LCSW. “Friendships are a great way to relieve stress and/or do activities that your SO may not enjoy doing. It’s helpful to have people to lean on and have support throughout your life.”
Deborah Olson, M.A., LPC—whose upcoming book is called The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection—adds, “Our friends actually helps us live healthier, happier, and longer lives.” Read More »
WHAT MAKES A FRIENDSHIP LAST A LIFETIME? 5 EXPERTS TELL US THERE #1 TRICK
With things like social media and texting, it may not seem like maintaining close friendships should be hard. But as many of us know, that’s far from reality. I recently had dinner with one of my best friends after over a year of making plans and canceling last minute. It became such a thing with us that her boyfriend called us out for being the flakiest people he knew.
The truth is, he wasn’t completely wrong. After all, we do live about 10 minutes away from each other. If we weren’t canceling plans for valid reasons, like being super tired or busy, we were open about the fact that we were just too lazy to hang out. If it had been anyone else in the world, that back-and-forth cycle of are we going to get together or not would’ve bothered me…a lot. Nobody has time for that, and my friend would probably say the same. Read More »
THE LIFESAVING GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
Many of us are still shocked by the recent deaths of two icons by suicide. The news underscores yet again how we do not always know the deep pain people are struggling with in their private worlds. How could it be possible that people who seem to be living life large are in such a dark place they would choose to end their lives?
As we grapple with this tragic news, we struggle to figure out what is going on in our world today. Suicide rates have been climbing higher each year, especially for women. The suicide rates for women rose 50 percent from 2000 to 2016 according to the National Center for Statistics.
Read More »
THE REAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A TOXIC FRIEND AND A GOOD FRIEND »
(contributor)
HOW TO FIND HOPE IN THE MIDST OF LOSS
The past months have left many of us reeling from natural disasters and the following aftermath. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as the numerous west coast fires, have left behind more than flooded or burned homes and cars and mountains of debris. It has also left its mark on our hearts and souls.
In the midst of the pain and agony caused by an extreme event orchestrated by Mother Nature, we have witnessed the best of humanity coming to the rescue. Whether watching television news or experiencing first hand the outpouring of compassion and love, we have been touched by the angels moving among us. It reminds us of the human connection we all share.
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6 WAYS TO STEP INTO SPRING (AND PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP!)
We all look forward to the first signs of spring. Whether it is the melting of snow revealing the first signs of green grass or the rainbow of colors dotting the hillside, we are brimming with anticipation and eagerness. Spring brings the promise of renewal, hope, and a return to longer days. It also provides the perfect opportunity to awaken our creative talents and infuse our souls with new energy and direction.
As a young child growing up on the Midwest plains, I remember the excitement of the first signs that the dark days of winter were history. The arrival of the first robin and the sprouting of tulips in the flowerbeds were proof that spring was here. It meant we could pack away the snow shovels and replace them with garden tools and lawn mowers. Read More »
HUMANS: PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
I recently took a bucket list trip to Sanibel Island, Florida. For many years I have read about this unique barrier island famous for its outstanding shelling. Since combing the shores for shells is one of my passions, I felt these beaches were calling my name.
My quest for ocean riches along the beach proved to be a glorious treasure hunt where each day I searched for the perfect shell. I collected many varieties of assorted shapes, sizes and colors. Some were unbroken and perfect with their intact edges and outlines, while others had a chip or a tiny hole that would definitely qualify it as broken.
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BE PREPARED: CRISIS ABC’s
We would all agree that part of the human experience is dealing with the unknowns that are lurking around the corner. Unfortunately, we cannot always predict these circumstances nor prepare for their arrival. Dealing with crisis can be stressful, exhausting, anxiety provoking and overwhelming. They are capable of completely tapping us out and making us depressed over time.
NOURISH TO FLOURISH: 7 TIPS FOR FLOURISHING
Yes, eating a healthy diet packed with nutrients and
vitamins is important for maintaining a healthy body.
Yet, many of us neglect the vital ingredients
needed to sustain our mental health. Simply put,
we must nourish to flourish. In other words,
feed your soul as well as your body. These
activities will help you invigorate your
spirit and fuel your emotional wellbeing.
