Facing Grief in Covid Times

My father died suddenly almost 56 ago. He was 56 when he died, and he would have been 112 years old today if he were still alive. I have been a therapist in private practice for 35 years.  One of my specialties is grief therapy. I wonder how that happened.  I seem to miss him...

How to Stop Being Hurtful to Others because you are Triggered

Shirley was driving after an intense day at work.  Exhausted, she just wanted to go home and connect with her partner.  The traffic was awful as usual and the car’s headlights in the rear view mirror were blinding.   She turned up the rear view mirror to stop this assault to the eyes.  The traffic thinned...

Grief: We Muddle through Loss Together

  Hi, my name is Bob Livingstone and I am a psychotherapist based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I have been fortunate to have worked with many around the issues of grief and loss for the past thirty-two years.   I chose to specialize in this area because my father died suddenly when I...

Honoring Traumas and Loses: Acknowledging Painful Experiences

Have you ever wanted to deal with your emotional pain in a different way besides reliving traumatic memories?   Have you ever heard the words “You need to forgive” and have no idea of what these words mean or what their purpose is?   Have you ever felt that intellectually and emotionally reviewing loss in...

Do you believe that your inability to resolve a conflict with a deceased loved one will keep you stuck and unfulfilled forever? Continue reading for ways to overcome this dilemma.

Promise of Better Days Ahead: Part 9-A Deeper Love Here is my story:  I was fifteen years old living in the suburbs of New York.  My hometown was Highland Park, New Jersey.  I lived on a quiet street with my mom, dad, thirteen-year-old sister and my dog, Foxy.  I was a walking poster child of...

Worst and Best Comments you can make to a Grieving Person

  I am a psychotherapist in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been working with grief and loss issues for over thirty years.  During that time, I have worked with groups and individuals facing death and dying experiences.   My clients shared what they feel are the worst and best things people have said...

Part 3: Promise of Better Days Ahead -The Heart Edition

Ten years ago, April 15, 2009, I passed out while running and almost died. I didn’t tell anyone about collapsing on the grass for a week. This silence is due to a combination of toxic masculinity and denial. I was terrified two weeks later when my wife, Gail drove me to the Hospital Emergency Room....

Going Deep with The Demons

Please read this blog before you read https://www.boblivingstone.com/how-americas-institutions-failed-my-family-and-what-i-did-about-it/ what is below. Thanks so much I realize that most people don’t look for emotional pain. I am not afraid to dig deep inside in an effort to seek understanding, clarity, peace and joy. I believe facing and working through the pain opens the door to healing,...

How America’s Institutions Failed my Family and What I did about it

My father died suddenly on Nov. 9, 1966 when I was fifteen years old. He had a stroke, went to the ICU and died two days later. When I think about this awful/pivotal time, I have a vast array of angry and sad feelings. How institutions failed my family: The hospital would not allow my...

Rediscovering my Father’s Spirit

My name is Bob Livingstone and I am a licensed clinical social worker based in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1987. I work with children, teens and adults. One of my specialties is grief counseling. I became interested in this subject because my father died suddenly when I was fifteen years old. I have...