Dr. Faith Galliano Desai

The book provides a practical and simple approach to developing the practice of living mindfully.

In this chapter, we highlight the importance of exploring and understanding the experiences and perspectives of person with dementia. Based on existing documentary sources in published literature and our own clinical experience, in this chapter we provide descriptions of experiences and perspectives that we believe have significant clinical implications. We describe the negative socio-cultural factors that need to be tackled head on, so that perspectives of the person who is living with… Show more

In this chapter, we highlight the importance of exploring and understanding the experiences and perspectives of person with dementia. Based on existing documentary sources in published literature and our own clinical experience, in this chapter we provide descriptions of experiences and perspectives that we believe have significant clinical implications. We describe the negative socio-cultural factors that need to be tackled head on, so that perspectives of the person who is living with dementia can play a central role in treatment decisions and in all efforts to impose their quality of life. Show less

Book review of Carellin Brooks book titled, "Fresh Hell:Motherhood in Pieces." This short book is a bluntly honest and darkly humorous exploration of the realities of being a mother and it
helps defend women against the impossibility of being a perfect mother and the myths of maternal instinct.

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Sharon Hays landmark book, The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood, this collection will revisit Hays concept of intensive mothering as a continuing, yet controversial representation of modern motherhood. In this text, Dr. Linda Ennis has compiled a thorough and thought-provoking array of articles from academics examining how the dictates of intensive mothering have become the predominant ideology disciplining contemporary mothers. This text is a must… Show more

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Sharon Hays landmark book, The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood, this collection will revisit Hays concept of intensive mothering as a continuing, yet controversial representation of modern motherhood. In this text, Dr. Linda Ennis has compiled a thorough and thought-provoking array of articles from academics examining how the dictates of intensive mothering have become the predominant ideology disciplining contemporary mothers. This text is a must read for anyone wishing to gain a more in-depth understanding of the emotional, physical, financial, and psychological consequences of mothering intensively by both the individual and Western society at large. I wrote the last chapter which offers an alternative to intensive mothering that is more holistic and practical. Show less

Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is a critical component of comprehensive, state-of-the-science dementia care. BPSD are complex, associated with substantial heterogeneity in terms of etiology, clinical presentation and treatment outcome and are the subject of extensive research. Consequently, it can be challenging for health care providers to stay up to date with the clinically most relevant findings and know how to best manage BPSD and respond to concerns… Show more

Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is a critical component of comprehensive, state-of-the-science dementia care. BPSD are complex, associated with substantial heterogeneity in terms of etiology, clinical presentation and treatment outcome and are the subject of extensive research. Consequently, it can be challenging for health care providers to stay up to date with the clinically most relevant findings and know how to best manage BPSD and respond to concerns of person’s with dementia (PWD) and their family. This is a narrative review that proposes an evidence-informed systematic approach for management of BPSD and aims to summarize key findings from research to date on psychosocial environmental and psychopharmacological interventions for management of BPSD. Early and comprehensive management of BPSD has the potential to not only promote the dignity and safety of PWD but also to improve their caregiver’s quality of life and reduce costs on society by preventing visits to emergency departments, hospitalizations and premature institutionalization. Show less

Letter to the editor

The nonpathological lived experience of mothers is beginning to be represented in empirical studies on identity and psychological wellbeing in mothers. This qualitative inquiry sought to make visible the impact transpersonal experiences have on mother’s identity, philosophy of life, and mothering style in order to contribute data on alternative ways of mothering other than contemporary Western mothering ideologies. Utilizing classical phenomenological methodology, semi structured interviews… Show more

The nonpathological lived experience of mothers is beginning to be represented in empirical studies on identity and psychological wellbeing in mothers. This qualitative inquiry sought to make visible the impact transpersonal experiences have on mother’s identity, philosophy of life, and mothering style in order to contribute data on alternative ways of mothering other than contemporary Western mothering ideologies. Utilizing classical phenomenological methodology, semi structured interviews with 6 first-time mothers aged 36-47 who had at least 1 transpersonal experience during motherhood were conducted. This inquiry explored mothers’ subjective experiences relative to transpersonal experiences. Qualitative analysis revealed that transpersonal experiences were accompanied by themes of development of increased self-understanding (expansion of identity), permeable boundaries, transformative life changes, and movement towards a consistent, sensitive, and responsive parenting style. One surprising finding that emerged was how intimately intertwined transpersonal experiences during motherhood were to psychological trauma. Inherent in mothering experiences was activation of the participants’ innate healing forces.
Discovery of a new model of mothering that I have labeled transpersonal motherhood emerged from the content and thematic analysis that reflected more accurately the reality of the lived experiences of mothers. It involves embodiment of an expanded sense of self and of motherhood. Personal transformation through cultivation of true self (through self-care and reparenting self), integration of subpersonalities, and development of transpersonal values were the fundamental characteristics of transpersonal motherhood demonstrated by participants. It is time to change the view of the current institution of motherhood to a new and more holistic conceptualization that recognizes the common existential and transpersonal dimensions of motherhood.


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