The Lighter Side of Transformation

with Lisa Wessan, LICSW

Jun 4

Enhancing DBT: Key Takeaways from Our Class

by Lisa Wessan, LICSW

“The best part has been the content of the class. It is all so relevant! I like the way you have created an organized pathway through the workbook. DBT is truly not a “do it yourself” program. I very much appreciate the weekly page numbers for relevant handouts and worksheets. The structure you’ve created is one of the best parts of the class.  I love that each class includes guided meditation.” 
M.M., New York, NY

“I was slightly surprised that the DBT group tends to have several participants who are a bit reticent. Group dynamics are always unpredictable. I thought the participants would be much more dramatic and self-aggrandizing. I expected them to be aggressively talkative or domineering. I also thought Lisa would have had to be very hands-on in managing that. Instead, the group is rather quiet, and everyone seems so delightfully ordinary. It’s been a relief, frankly. I’m not a weirdo for having intense emotions and struggling to manage them. I’m just an ordinary person and so are the other group members.  I also didn’t expect so much humor. Your sense of humor has been quite welcome. It adds levity and makes the class feel less burdensome or “heavy.” C.S.E., Cambridge, MA

Up next: Virtual DBT Distress Tolerance and Mindfulness Skills, June 10 – September 9, 2025. Tuesdays, 7:30 – 9 PM EST. There are still a few spots open. To learn more, visit Summer DBT Group.

Good health is wealth, go for it💙

#DBT, #PTSD, #EmotionRegulation #DistressTolerance, #Wellness #Recovery #Peak, #Mindfulness

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Jun 3

Obituary for beloved Q-tip

by Lisa Wessan, LICSW

July 16, 2008 – May 16, 2025

Q-tip was adopted from Nevins Farms, a beautiful MSPCA animal shelter in Methuen, MA.  He was part of a litter of gorgeous kittens.  The volunteer who enrolled the kittens into the shelter named it the Diva Litter. Each cat was magnificent and dramatically beautiful.

Q-tip’s temporary animal shelter name was Liberace. He was renamed Q-tip, which is an acronym for Quit Taking It Personally. His mix of Turkish Angora and Siamese breeds gave him a fabulous coat of fur. His bright blue eyes made him a handsome little guy. Here’s a 15 second video of him in action, Qtip playing with balloon.

His sister, Luna, was temporarily named Cher.  Their litter mates were Elvis, Frank, Barbara, Madonna, Lady Gaga and other renowned Divas of the time.

From the start, Q-tip was very warm and affectionate. He needed no time to become a lapcat. He loved to be brushed, snuggled, kissed and held closely. No amount of hugs was too much for Q-tip.  His sister, Luna, was more of an acrobat, and barely spent time on people’s laps. She hated being brushed.  (Luna ran away in 2014 and was never found.)  Eventually a second cat was adopted, to replace Luna. Her name is Yum-Yum, and she was very good company for Q-Tip.

Q-tip was extremely intuitive and connected to his human mother, Lisa Wessan.  When Lisa’s deceased husband, Gary Malkin, was in the ER, Q-tip stepped up. Lisa’s friends and family were always helpful, but Q-tip was her emotional support buddy at home. He helped when Gary was recovering from strokes in rehab nursing homes.  He knew she was struggling and made an extra effort to be comforting, attentive and loving.  He helped Lisa get through the many medical traumas and crises of Gary’s multiple illnesses the past five years.  Without Q-tip, it would have been a much harsher caregiver journey for Lisa.  Q-tip was always loving, soothing and a force for healing energy in Lisa’s home life. Lisa referred to him as “her furry angel.”  

For 17 human years (119 kitty years), Q-tip was a super healthy indoor kitty. He was not sick for one day of his long life.  He was given excellent grain-free food, drank only filtered water and was well loved.   He is survived by his step sister Yum-Yum,  and his human mother Lisa, who is missing him terribly now.  

Precious siblings Luna and Q-tip, resting in peace with Gary💙

💙In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Memorial Gifts ASPCA.

Distress Tolerance grief Uncategorized

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Jun 2

Just for Today, by Sybil F. Partridge

by Lisa Wessan, LICSW

1.  Just for today I will be happy.  This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”  Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

2.  Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.  I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

3.  Just for today I will take care of my body.  I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

4.  Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind.  I will learn something useful.  I will not be a mental loafer.  I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

5.  Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways;  I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out.  I will do at least two things I don’t want to do as William James suggests, just for exercise.

6.  Just for today I will be agreeable.  I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

7.  Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once.  I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

8.  Just for today I will have a program.  I will write down what I expect to do every hour.  I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it.  It will eliminate two pests, hurry and indecision.

9.  Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax.  In this half hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

10.  Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.

If we want to develop a mental attitude that will bring us peace and happiness, here is Rule #1:

Think and act cheerfully, and you will feel cheerful.

Written by Sybil F. Partridge   1916 and printed in
How To Stop Worrying, And Start Living, by Dale Carnegie, 1951

LW: Whenever you set a new intention, or want to develop a positive new habit, or break an old negative habit, start something new, always remember, “Progress not Perfection.” Old ways are tough to change, but it will get done. Slowly, slowly, you can do it. You can do hard things…There is a solution…Never give up💙

Addictions Anxiety Distress Tolerance Emotional Regulation Interpersonal Effectiveness Mindfulness Resiliency Uncategorized

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