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.

Four Tips So Your ‘Girly Thoughts’ Don’t Sabotage Your Success

July 25th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts - (Comments Off on Four Tips So Your ‘Girly Thoughts’ Don’t Sabotage Your Success)

        Sunday night I had a huge first  . . . I performed in an actual concert hall, with an orchestra, with a new conductor! How was I? So nervous! But my nervousness didn’t go in the direction of doubting myself, being critical of my appearance, wishing I had lost weight, or …
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Make Anger Your Friend

July 18th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts - (Comments Off on Make Anger Your Friend)

It may be hard to believe that your anger is your friend. But it is. Your anger is a powerful emotion, one that demands attention, often one that makes you want to take action. Viewed this way, your anger can actually become your friend by positively changing your life. Sound crazy?   Why You’re Afraid …
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Dressing for Summer Without Girly Thoughts

July 11th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Body Image | Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Dressing for Summer Without Girly Thoughts)

  It’s summer, and you’re enjoying shedding the coat, boots, and scarf. You want to feel the air blowing your hair and sunlight on your skin. But, you consider, how much skin should you be showing? You want to feel the freedom that comes with summer, but not necessarily feel like you are dressing unprofessionally, …
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Celebrate Your Mother’s Strength—Not Her Girly Thoughts

May 8th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Body Image | Girly Thoughts | Parenting | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Celebrate Your Mother’s Strength—Not Her Girly Thoughts)

Sometimes it is difficult to see what is before your eyes. You may not notice what is obvious: Both you and your mother have many strengths. You may be too conditioned by your girly thoughts to appreciate your mom’s resilience, her ability to bounce back from adversity. But who was your first influence in developing …
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Girly Thoughts and Suicide: Five Ways Get off this Merry-Go-Round

May 6th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Body Image | Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Girly Thoughts and Suicide: Five Ways Get off this Merry-Go-Round)

  New data documents that the suicide rate in the United States has surged to the highest level in nearly thirty years, with increases in every age group except older adults, and “the rise was particularly steep for women.”     Why Are Women’s Suicide Rates Up?     Here are the more obvious answers …
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Three Ways Your Girly Thoughts Are Stopping You From Soaring Like an Eagle

May 2nd, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Three Ways Your Girly Thoughts Are Stopping You From Soaring Like an Eagle)

Ever want to soar above your troubles, be more in the moment instead of all in your head? The answer: Look up, then look in . . . Yesterday I happened across a video of what an eagle needs to do to thrive. I invite you to watch it to see what it takes to …
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Women in Sports Really Can’t Afford to Think Girly Thoughts, So Why Do You?

April 29th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Women in Sports Really Can’t Afford to Think Girly Thoughts, So Why Do You?)

Women in sports take a great deal of abuse, and most of it is off the field. Professional women athletes are criticized in both public and social media for being competent, for being aggressive, and for winning. Consider the sexist remarks made before the women’s final of the BNP Paribas Open. Indian Wells CEO Raymond …
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Why Sober St. Patrick’s Day is Important to YOU

March 14th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Addiction | Alcohol Addiction | Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Why Sober St. Patrick’s Day is Important to YOU)

There is nothing like getting an award to make you pay attention to the group that is giving it. This was my experience when I was told I was receiving the Emerald Spirits Award from Sober St. Patrick’s Day. Sober St Patrick’s Day? I had vaguely heard of the group, but now I needed to learn …
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Are Your Girly Thoughts Blaming Lady Gaga for Being Raped?

March 4th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Abuse | Girly Thoughts | Trauma | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Are Your Girly Thoughts Blaming Lady Gaga for Being Raped?)

Lady Gaga made news yet again, this time by publicly sharing during the Oscars that she was raped at age 19. Yes, she set off shock waves around the world, not just because she shared something so intimate, but because she challenged each of us to consider how we talk about rape in our own …
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