If you talk to a therapist about anxiety or depressed mood, it’s likely they’ll point to three primary behaviors that can have a big impact: eating, sleeping and exercise. Lack of rest, poor nutrition and inactivity can feed depression and anxiety. And while there are certainly other factors that can also affect mood, these three […]
Do You Suffer From Anhedonia? What To Do When You Just Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything
June 1, 2022 – 10:25 am
When your mood is low, you may find that you’ve lost interest in activities or relationships that were once a staple part of your life and made you happy. In psychology, such loss of interest or pleasure in people and things that were previously enjoyed is known as anhedonia. Anhedonia can occur during normal […]
Repairing Misattunement is an Opportunity for Growth
May 2, 2022 – 10:11 am
Have you ever found yourself crosswise with someone — a friend, a co-worker, a significant other or even your therapist? Maybe you felt your relationship was suddenly out of balance? Of course you have. Everyone has. That “out of balance” feeling is called misattunement: A moment when we’re misunderstood, out of synch and confused […]
Sexual Myth-buster: Emily Nagoski’s Come as You Are
April 1, 2022 – 10:33 am
A lot of science has been done on female sexuality, but many people act on and are affected by damaging beliefs shaped by shopworn myths and stereotyped media portrayals. The book Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., has helped a number of my clients unwind that thinking. You might assume I recommend Nagoski’s […]
I Just Don’t Feel Like Being Around Anyone Right Now
March 1, 2022 – 10:00 am
“I just don’t feel like being around people. I want to sit at home and read or watch TV by myself. Is there something wrong with me? Am I okay?” This is a common question I hear from individuals dealing with difficult life events. My first response is, “Yes, you’re okay. That inclination can […]
Depressed, or Just Down?
February 2, 2022 – 10:28 am
Everyone gets the blues now and then, so how do you know when your low feelings are a passing inconvenience or a signal of something more troubling? We’ll talk about some of the warning signs to look for. But whether it turns out that you’re depressed — or just down — there are a […]
Take 5: How to De-stress, Recenter and Focus With Mindfulness
January 3, 2022 – 10:07 am
Ahead of a public speaking event, I found myself struggling with a bout of pregame nerves. But instead of panicking, I did something I often advise clients to do. I sat down and practiced breath mindfulness for five minutes, which calmed and centered me and helped me focus. In the end, the event went […]
What Really Matters to You? Find Out.
November 25, 2021 – 3:23 am
They call it the “daily grind” for a reason: Days flash by as you hustle to satisfy an unappreciative boss, overcommit to community fundraisers and attend social events to keep up “appearances.” We humans have a finite amount of time and energy. All too often we spend too much of it reacting to the demands […]
When Your Brain Lies to You
October 30, 2021 – 12:39 am
Our brain usually sizes up situations quickly and accurately — but not always. Sometimes, our brain gets it all wrong. When that happens, and we accept what it’s telling us without question, we can experience needless pain and suffering. For example, if I see a neighbor while I’m walking in the park, I act friendly […]
Moving Through Trauma: How Individual Therapy Can Help
September 24, 2021 – 5:49 pm
In two previous posts, we explored how trauma can affect individuals and impact couples. In many cases, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy can help both the traumatized individual and their partner. However, there are times when individual treatment may also be useful. Trauma takes many forms. It can happen any time events occur that change a […]