Amy Ratkovich

The Dignity of Defense: Anna Freud and the Modern Woman Women’s History Month is a time to honor the pioneers who reshaped our understanding of the human mind. Few shifted that understanding more profoundly than Dr. Anna Freud . She will no longer be overshadowed by her father. It is time for Anna—not just "Freud"—to take the spotlight as an equal where she belongs. Sigmund Freud opened the door to the unconscious. Anna stepped through it and asked a different question: What will the ego...

Romance and ADHD Dear Near and Dear Readers, I wanted to share something that's been close to my heart lately—a reflection on how ADHD shows up in our most intimate connections, and why understanding it through the lens of nervous system regulation and executive functioning can transform relationships from sources of pain to spaces of deeper compassion and creativity. First and Foremost! I'd like to start by naming something essential: self-regulation is the foundation of connection . Not...

Dear Near Dear Readers, Dry January is about becoming more aware of yourself by temporarily removing things that might be blocking that clarity—in this case, substances or habits you enjoy but aren’t always sure are just “for fun” versus something you quietly rely on. It’s a month to test the waters: Do I need this to feel okay, or is it filling a gap I haven’t fully named? Many people use this time to gently confront the small ways we justify patterns that interfere with relationships, work,...