It’s that time again! I read and listened to some pretty powerful books in 2020, and I love sharing those that I found most impactful. Bibliotherapy is one of my favorite supplements to our work in therapy. There is so much research and wisdom out there that can deepen and enrich our work together. It’s impossible to cover it all in a weekly therapy session, and I wouldn’t want to anyway.
As we wrap a year like 2020, gratitude can seem like a stretch, perhaps especially for those among us who have faced grave loss. We have collectively been through some unprecedented and extremely challenging times over the last year. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. I’m feeling the weight of all that humanity has experienced.
Oh Halloween, a time normally characterized by people of all ages dressing up as princesses, superheroes, or sexy nurses. In 2020, your plans for Halloween may be different. Maybe you are having a zoom party, or having a small gathering with friends, or maybe you have found a way to keep your traditions alive in your own, unique way. Whether or not you are dressing up in a costume this year for Halloween, I want to ask you this question:
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: