Positivity is something that we are all seeking it seems, and with good reason. A more positive mindset has been associated with better resiliency, lower distress, healthier relationships, and generally better mental and physical health. In fact, creating a more positive mindset is often a goal of therapy. However, like all things, we can go […]
Gratitude has been a hot topic in psychology for a while now, and for good reason. There is a stack of literature that links gratitude to a multitude of positive outcomes. Some of these benefits are things that you might expect, like increasing positive outlook, improving symptoms of anxiety, or helping to relieve depression. Logically, […]
Distress is uncomfortable. Whether it’s anxiety when meeting new people, fear that your partner doesn’t care, or disappointment in missing out on something you want, “distress” does not feel good. Because that visceral unpleasantness is a fundamental characteristic of distress, we tend to try to avoid it and want to protect our loved ones from […]
So, if self-help has so many pitfalls should you just cut it out completely? Definitely not. Self-help can be a great tool in your mental health journey, it’s just a matter of learning to choose the right one for you, and learning how best to interact with this type of material. Here are some tips […]
Again, self-improvement is a great goal. This post is not intended to discourage you from taking charge of your own growth with established programs. It is simply intended to flag a few flaws in most self-help programs that are actually detrimental to our mental health. In part 2, we finish off the list of things […]
Improving ourselves is a great goal. In fact, my belief is that the purpose of therapy is positive change. Self-help can be an important avenue to engage in to make meaningful changes in our lives. In fact, I encourage everyone to take an active role in their improvement and self-help can be a great tool […]
Therapy Speak – What “Gaslighting” and Triggered” really mean “Gaslighting” is showing up all over these days. However, the definition of this term often does not match the ways in which it’s used. The definition of “gaslighting” has a few key features that should be highlighted to illustrate the ways it is misused. First, it […]
Sleep is a vital part of our well-being. It’s our body’s way of re-energizing, restoring, and repairing itself. When we sleep poorly, it can be harder for us to make-decisions, deal with our emotions, remember things, and focus. On top of that, it can be extremely frustrating when we struggle to fall asleep. Lying in […]
One psychological term that has entered the popular vocabulary is “codependent”. On social media, this term often describes someone who is overly invested in their relationship, having gotten to the point where they “need” their partner. Often, the popular use of this term implies that any reliance on your partner for emotional support and stability […]
This seems like the most commonly misused psychological term these days. You may have even heard it in the last few weeks while someone was describing a conflict at work or in their romantic relationship. But what does “narcissist” really mean? First, it’s important to say that narcissism is a collection of traits that exist […]