There is a strong correlation between self-esteem and having the ability to communicate your needs and opinions. When your self-esteem is low, you avoid speaking up for yourself because the possibility of judgment from others is much scarier than coping with the situation on your own. You are constantly looking for validation from your peers and avoid opportunities for rejection at all costs. Unhealthy self-esteem is also linked with distorted thinking that makes you feel like your needs are less important than others’ needs, so it is common to convince yourself not to set boundaries. If you are unsure where your self-esteem falls on the spectrum, try reading the statements below to determine which category resonates with you the most.
Our current reality is undoubtedly challenging in one way or another. Thank you, 2020 for pushing our limits... and our buttons. It can be mentally and emotionally exhausting to read or listen to the news on a regular basis, and more so if you tend to obsess. With so many news outlets at our fingertips, it’s easy to spend hours on end in the rabbit hole. That’s why we talk about limiting your news intake – to help protect your mental and emotional health. Find out what you need to know, but don’t bury yourself in it.
Hal Elrod is the creator of the Miracle Morning, a practice he developed to take control of his life one day at a time. Elrod is no stranger to struggle. He has survived a near-fatal auto accident complete with a year-long recovery and crippling financial loss, twice. To rebound from the devastating impact of his life experiences and course correct, he began studying the habits of successful people and created a morning regimen that touches several facets of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Self-reflection. Two words that can seem intriguing, complex, and daunting when put together. Self-reflection is the act of “meditating or thinking about one’s character, actions, and motives”(Webster Dictionary). Reflection allows for growth.
Raise your hand if you are feeling frayed. Fatigued. Restless. Edgy. Gloomy. As we continue along the path of living our lives mostly at home, the signs of wear are showing up in therapy. In addition to the “usual” anxious and depressed experiences, we are hearing words like “unsettled,” “lazy,” “unmotivated” and “disconnected.” Even the folks who were initially quite comfortable with the separateness and social shelter of stay-home orders are starting to feel the impact.
As Robert Frost writes in his poem Mending Wall, “Good fences make good neighbors.” It’s a metaphor for relationships (all kinds) that I can definitely get behind. Boundaries are our metaphorical fences, and they come in several shapes and sizes.
Terminate?! Most things in the therapy world are warm, accepting, and gentle. So why is the word ‘terminate’ thrown out there? For some it sounds kind of harsh. Termination is a fancy word for ending the therapeutic relationship. Termination can also refer to a break in counseling for a period of time as well.
Clients sometimes come into counseling seeking purpose and direction. More often than that, they come in suffering from depression and/or poor self-image, and may discover that the root of these issues is that they don’t have a strong sense of purpose or direction in their lives.
February is American Heart Month, and as it is important to learn about and take care of your physical health, we also need to make sure we are taking care of our mental health. This blog features Heart Month from a mental health clinicians viewpoint:
After approximately two years of personal therapy with my counselor, I had a session dedicated to what we would call my internal “friction.” You may know this feeling as internal conflict, turmoil or just plain anxiety. I reached a point in my growth where I was able to withstand quite a bit of internal friction or conflict.
We often begin the New Year trying to accomplish resolutions that are impossible to reach. We may want to make a lifestyle change – but our thought process around making lifestyle changes is often flawed. We get frustrated with how challenging the change can be, cheat a time or two, don’t see results fast enough and drop the resolution all together.
When we practice assertive communication, we are implementing our boundaries. With this practice, we state what we need and want in a clear and concise way. It is important for us to take responsibility for our emotions and express them.
