Invalidation is inevitable in life. People don’t always acknowledge us or appreciate our contributions. They may dismiss our emotions and points of view. For these reasons, it’s important to know how to self-validate. When we self-validate, we acknowledge how our own emotions, thoughts, or behaviors make sense considering recent events, developmental history, emotional support, vulnerability […]
Author Archives: Josh
Why Psychological Assessment is Essential in Therapy
Ever wonder why cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy start with an evaluation? Psychological assessment isn’t just paperwork—it’s the foundation of effective treatment. Without it, therapy is like trying to fix a problem without knowing exactly what’s wrong. Psychological assessment helps pinpoint cognitive patterns, emotional responses, and behavioral tendencies. It’s based on standardized tools—questionnaires, interviews, […]
Lose the imaginary audience!
Ever feel self-conscious? Most of us do from time to time. But for some people, it feels like an imaginary audience is scrutinizing their every move. The term “imaginary audience” was coined by psychologist David Elkind in 1967 to describe the feeling that a crowd is watching your behavior or listening to what you say. […]
What’s your morning routine?
Every morning there is an opportunity to develop the frame of mind you want to be in for the rest of the day. For this reason, it’s important to develop a routine that is conducive to a positive mindset that will help you deal with the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities each day brings. […]
Practice doing what you don’t want to!
Have you ever thought, “I shouldn’t have to do things I don’t want to” ? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve probably all thought it on occasion. And for a rarified few, it may be possible to structure life so that it consists solely of the things they want to do. Maybe they can outsource […]
Stop ruminating!
When it comes to mental health, studies consistently show you need to disrupt rumination—the loop tape of negative thoughts that repeat in your mind without beginning or end. While some repetitive thinking can be productive, leading to problem solving or insights, too much is unproductive. Thinking about your problems over and over can be depressing […]
Coping with Disappointment
Disappointment is inevitable in life. Reality often fails to meet our expectations. Maybe you were looking forward with great anticipation to a first date. Your mind had raced ahead to fantasies of instant connection and a great romance only to meet and experience a complete lack of chemistry. Profound disappointment crashes in. You experience sadness […]
How to be more consistent
Do you struggle to be consistent? Find yourself oscillating between the extremes of being intensely productive and completely nonproductive? If so, you’re not alone. Consistency is often cited as one of the primary contributing factors to success, yet it is very thing many people struggle to achieve. The good news is there are science-based strategies […]
Develop a Growth Mindset!
When life throws you a curveball, you have a choice in how to respond. How we look at our setbacks and the stories we tell ourselves about them can affect our ability to deal with future challenges. We can choose to see setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth or as limitations placed on our […]
Kick the worry habit!
Does your mind often drift to an imagined future of negative scenarios? If so, you just might be a worrier. When we worry, we’re essentially making negative predictions. Worry is the tendency of your mind to make a beeline to the worst-case scenario overlooking all the other possible scenarios, including the best-case and the most […]