Author Archives: Patricia O'Gorman, PhD

About Patricia O'Gorman, PhD

Patricia A. O'Gorman, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice. She is noted for her work on women, trauma, and substance abuse and for her warm, inspiring, and amusing presentations that make complex issues accessible and even fun. She has served as a consultant to organizations across the country in preventative and clinical strategic planning. Dr. O'Gorman is a cofounder of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, and she has held positions ranging from director of a rape crisis center to clinical director of a child welfare agency, and director of the division of prevention for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). She is a veteran of numerous television appearances, including Good Morning America, Today, and AM Sunday and is the author of eight books including: The Girly Thoughts 10 Day Detox Plan (2014), The Resilient Woman: Mastering the 7 Steps to Personal Power (2013), and Healing Trauma Through Self-Parenting (2012) 12 Steps to Self-Parenting.

Lessons From Rehab: Run Your Girly Thoughts Through a Car Wash

June 30th, 2017 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Body Image | Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Lessons From Rehab: Run Your Girly Thoughts Through a Car Wash)

I am lucky to live in a community that offers a variety of spiritual experiences. Last Sunday, after I went to my formal religious observance, I attended a weekly spirituality group conducted by residents in a long-term alcohol and drug rehabilitation center near where I live. The theme for this day was Surrender.   Singing, …
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For Mother’s Day, Consider This: Is Your Mother Driving You To Drink?

May 12th, 2017 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Addiction | Alcohol Addiction | Parenting | Relationships | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on For Mother’s Day, Consider This: Is Your Mother Driving You To Drink?)

All holidays are stressful. It’s either the good stress of trying to do all you have planned for those you love or the dread you feel about again being in certain family situations that you felt you “escaped” as an adult. Or maybe it’s a combination of the two. As complicated as family gatherings are, …
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How a Sober St. Patrick’s Day Can Be a Sexual Turn On

March 17th, 2017 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Addiction | Girly Thoughts | Relationships | Sexuality | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on How a Sober St. Patrick’s Day Can Be a Sexual Turn On)

Are you making BIG plans for St. Patrick’s Day? Consider making this St. Patrick’s Day a sober one—for your sake.   Pub Crawl, Anyone?   St. Patrick’s Day used to be a day for families to celebrate the best in Irish culture. This included everything from proudly marching in a local parade to the “wearing …
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A Valentine’s Day Detox

February 25th, 2017 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts | Relationships | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on A Valentine’s Day Detox)

He loves me, he loves me not? The bigger question is: Why do I care so much?     Well, the BIG Day—Valentine’s Day—has come and gone. This day of tension, caused by the painful and anxious feelings  produced by your girly thoughts telling you that your lovability is demonstrated by what your partner does or …
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Had Enough Bad Sex? Try Sober Dating

February 10th, 2017 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Body Image | Girly Thoughts | Relationships | Sexuality | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Had Enough Bad Sex? Try Sober Dating)

A few weeks ago, a writer for Glamour.com contacted me about an article she was working on—on sober dating. I was excited, but not surprised that sobriety is being discovered by women’s media. It was a fun project that produced a terrific article, which I encourage you to read: Eight Amazing Thing You Learn from …
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Stop Fat Shaming Yourself with Your Girly Thoughts

September 30th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Body Image | Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Stop Fat Shaming Yourself with Your Girly Thoughts)

“She gained a massive amount of weight . . . it was a real problem.”  —Donald Trump                 Weight is a h-u-g-e issue for you—no pun intended. If you’re like most American women, you probably go on an endless stream of diets. try on a pile of clothes …
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The Blame Game: Is His Affair Really Your Fault?

September 26th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts | Relationships | Sexuality | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on The Blame Game: Is His Affair Really Your Fault?)

“She couldn’t satisfy her husband.” —Donald Trump speaking about Hillary Clinton     Donald Trump has spewed plenty of cringe-worthy, even disgusting, statements thus far in his presidential campaign, but one of the most bizarre was when he challenged his rival about her sexual desirability and blamed her for her husband’s affairs. Since the time I …
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Advertising Booze to Teens Using Sex: Promoting Prom Night Cherry

August 19th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Adolescents | Adolescents' Issues | Girly Thoughts | Sexuality | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Advertising Booze to Teens Using Sex: Promoting Prom Night Cherry)

The  label depicts a pair of women’s legs wearing a man’s top hat. The new craft brew from Oval Craft Brewing is named Prom Night Cherry. And it is a cause for alarm among the community members of Plattsburgh, NY, parents, educators, and leaders, who work tirelessly to make prom night enjoyable and safe for …
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Do You Struggle to Get a Compliment? You’re Not Alone: Ask A Female Olympian

August 12th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Do You Struggle to Get a Compliment? You’re Not Alone: Ask A Female Olympian)

Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult for you to take a compliment? Why you tend to disparage your achievements while men more readily acknowledge theirs?   Girly Thoughts   Well, stop beating yourself up. The answer is that you have learned to do to yourself what society does to you: criticize yourself …
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