Most of the time, when we think about emotions, we think about thoughts. Trying to figure them out, explain them, or make sense of why we feel a certain way. But a lot of the time, emotions show up in the body first, before we’ve had a chance to name them. It can be subtle. […]
Recent studies in psychology have identified a term that many of us can likely identify with: anticipated nostalgia. Researchers describe the feeling as a mindful awareness within a present moment, and the recognition that it will be missed in the future. It is a bittersweet feeling that the present is so special and memorable, we […]
Looking for a therapist can feel like a lot. When you’re already overwhelmed or emotionally drained, the idea of sorting through websites, bios and scheduling systems just to find someone to open up to can seem impossible. It’s one more thing on your plate, when that plate is probably already overflowing. But take a deep […]
Prevention is often discussed when it comes to our physical health, but we don’t always consider mental health preventative treatment. There are many studies, dating back decades, that highlight the protective impact of having a solid foundation when it comes to your mental health. Whether you call it Preventative Psychology, Positive Psychology, or Salutogenesis, this […]
What is Executive Dysfunction? Executive dysfunction is a deficit in one’s ability to use higher-order cognitive skills, such as planning, organizing, focusing, managing time, and controlling emotions. Those who struggle with executive dysfunction may have more difficulty getting started on tasks, finishing tasks, making decisions, following multi-step directions, remembering sequences of information, and not acting […]
As I mentioned in the last post, positivity is (obviously) a good thing, but forcing oneself to be positive all the time can have some negative consequences. Again, these problems arise from the reality that life is both good and bad, pleasure and pain. When we only acknowledge half of our lived experience, this type […]
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 […]