Welcome to the Blog
Diversify your values
Dec 06, 2021Life feels more meaningful when it reflects your values. If you value knowledge, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with life when you’re actively learning, whether it’s studying a foreign language, or exploring a country you’ve never visited before. If you value fitness, you probably feel more engaged and alive when you’re training than when […]
Read More- 1 Likes
Not so fast! Is it Wise Mind or Emotion Mind?
Dec 06, 2021About to make an important decision? Before you do, take a moment to ask yourself what state of mind you’re in. In DBT, there are three states of mind. Are you acting from a place of wisdom, in your long-term interests, and in line with your values? If so, you’re in Wise Mind. Wise Mind […]
Read More- 1 Likes
The data are in: Sounds of nature are healing
Dec 06, 2021We’ve known for some time that spending time in nature is healing or the mind and body. Numerous studies show that time spent in nature can lift our mood as well as decrease stress, depression, and anxiety. But why? According to psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, nature has a “soft fascination” for the human brain. […]
Read More- 1 Likes
Ride the Wave
May 06, 2021There are probably hundreds of cliches to help us remember, but in the grips of an intense negative emotion, it’s easy to forget. Our emotions are temporary. It may seem like they will last forever, but they won’t. When we think our negative emotion won’t end, we’re more likely to do something impulsively to try […]
Read More- 0 Likes
Transitioning to the New Normal
Mar 09, 2021If you’re anything like me, when you look back at your quarantine/pandemic experience so far, you probably see distinct phases that you’ve transitioned through. Each phase marked by different emotional challenges and associated coping strategies. As we enter the second year of the pandemic, it’s a good time to take stock of what coping strategies […]
Read More- 5 Likes
In Defense of Narcissim
Jan 19, 2021Some of my favorite clients are narcissists. Yes, you read that sentence correctly. So, I’ve been a little concerned about the bad rap narcissists are taking lately in the media. As a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of personality disorders, I’m here to tell you that not all individuals with narcissist personality disorder […]
Read More- 4 Likes
Embrace Change
Nov 19, 2020With the pandemic, we’ve all experienced changes in how we live, how we work, and socialize. This can be distressing. It’s human nature to prefer things stay just as they are if we like how they’re going. As a result we may find ourselves fighting change or bracing against it. But change is the nature […]
Read More- 0 Likes
Drop the Narrative
Nov 13, 2020Most of us have narratives or story lines we’ve constructed over the course of our lives about ourselves. Some of these story lines serve us better than others. The narrative “I’m a fighter, not a quitter,” can boost resilience and motivation to persist in the face of difficulty. But, “Nothing ever works out for me,” […]
Read More- 0 Likes
Be Present, Not Perfect
Nov 10, 2020If you’re a perfectionist, you may believe you need to be perfect to be loved. For some, this means being always upbeat and never expressing negative emotions. For others, this means achieving a physical ideal and so they stress about their body, their weight, face, skin and hair. For others, it’s having the perfectly decorated […]
Read More- 0 Likes
Election Anxiety
Nov 03, 2020On edge about the election? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 76% of Democrats and 67% of Republicans have found the election stressful. And that doesn’t even include independent voters. Heightening election stress is the perception of many that the fate of the nation turns on […]
Read More- 0 Likes