There’s a lot of energy, excitement, and cultural reinforcement to make a change. That's a great start! Psychologists call this the Fresh Start Effect and is the feeling at the beginning of a new chapter (birthday, new job, etc.) that can motivate change. The difficulty arises when this culturally-reinforced phenomena feels like pressure that can result in comparative-thinking, so we make our resolutions broad and idealistic that are not realistic or sustainable.

When you identify the person inside as recognizable, safe, and yours, free from judgment, criticism, and stifling energy, that is likely your Authentic Self (AS.) When people notice their AS, even for a moment, I advise them to “name it to claim it.”

Every positive habit begins with a first step. Set aside your physical space. This could be a corner, a bathroom, or a locked car. As long as you can practice without being interrupted. If you have the means, a comfortable chair, floor pillow, candle, soft light, and/or music can also be useful.

There are several different aspects of mindfulness—mindful breathing, thinking, moving, eating, sensing, etc. And there are many definitions of mindfulness. Jon Kabat-Zinn writes “mindfulness is awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”

EFT, also called tapping, is based on the body’s natural meridian system that directs the flow of energy. These meridians have been used in acupuncture for thousands of years. The end points of the meridians hold higher electromagnetic charges in the body. When we have physical or emotional problems, that energy gets blocked.

Maintain eye contact, open body language, and do your best to remain calm. It is normal to feel anxious. You might feel that way because you’re afraid you will give them bad advice. However, if they are speaking with you, they believe you will be supportive.

Feedback is an important component to a positive and successful outcome. Most therapists use an eclectic approach (including myself), which means we use different strategies based on our personalities, ideas about the human condition and healing, etc. How do we know when to use a specific technique?

In this post, I ask all of us--what part can we play, however small it may seem, to de-stigmatize mental illness?

We call these negative thoughts “cognitive distortions,” because they are usually not based on facts or evidence, so they can be changed.

Teens can't meet their need for relationships, AND the school wants them to change the way they interact with the only thing helping them