Known as dichotomous thinking in psychology circles, black and white thinking can shape how a person views and interacts with the world. The impact can sometimes have devastating effects on one’s relationships, work life and more.
We’re right in the height of the holiday season, a time of year that seems to amplify conflict in many relationships. However, there are ways to ease tension with all the important people in your life throughout the year, and compromise in relationships can be a great place to start.
Have you ever been so absorbed in an activity or project that time seemed to stop? Where you felt so happily lost in something that you worked, played, or created for hours on end? That experience is something experts call “flow,” and finding flow can help you tap into a greater sense of meaning, purpose, and even happiness.
When faced with stress or sadness, do you turn to alcohol, tobacco or other substances for a quick, feel-good boost? Have you thought about what that could be doing to your physical and mental health? As an alternative, you could use the mental benefits of exercise to help you feel calmer and happier, but in a healthy way.
Each human being on this planet will experience grief and loss in his or her lifetime. Loss can range from the death of a loved one or pet to a parting of ways with a friend or lover. Even losing a job can result in deep feelings of loss and grief. These feelings are a normal part of the human experience, but the grief process can unexpectedly knock even the strongest among us to our knees.
Strong emotions are a fact of life as a human. Like it or not, we are emotional beings, driven by parts of the brain that manage emotional processes, memory, habits and more. Although emotions can often feel as overwhelming as ocean waves crashing over you, it is possible to develop your emotional resilience as a powerful life skill. That resilience, in turn, can help you reduce cravings and change other behaviors that have a negative impact on your life.
New Year’s resolutions often get a bad rap – and for good reason: According to statistics, only about 8 percent of people who make resolutions achieve them (source: StatisticBrain.com, citing Journal of Clinical Psychology). So, what goes into identifying goals, such as resolutions, and what are the barriers to success?
The ancient concept and practice of mindfulness has gained traction in recent years in mainstream circles. The media is taking note as researchers have shown that mindfulness practices may impact up to eight regions of the brain that control emotion, attention, memory, and more.
Periodically, I will use this space to provide an overview of the different psychotherapy theories I use in my practice. Depending on your circumstances and needs, I may suggest a specific approach, and it can be helpful to understand the “why?” behind each theory. Today, we will discuss Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Negative thinking is one of the most common roadblocks, and many people don’t even realize just how much negativity has taken over their lives. In individual therapy, I strive to help people identify and overcome barriers that are preventing them from living their best lives.