There is nothing wrong with wanting to be comfortable and safe in life. However, when we find ourselves devoting much of our efforts into finding ways to avoid our feelings or to always be comfortable, then something may be wrong. Understanding a few issues might be of some help.
[Read more…] about How to Keep Yourself So Busy That There is no Time Left to Face Your ProblemsTherapy Resources and Support for Your Mental Health
How to Spend Your Life with the Wrong Person by Being Afraid to be Alone
Have you ever wondered why you seem to make “poor choices” in relationships? Why your life is not working out the best? In order to have a healthy and more positive romance with someone, it’s urgent that you learn some critical relationship concepts regarding quick solutions, dependency and the fear of “being alone”.
[Read more…] about How to Spend Your Life with the Wrong Person by Being Afraid to be AloneHow to Gain Instant Success by Having No Boundaries
Psychological boundaries are central to personal development and healthy functioning. Sometime the trouble we get into when relating to others involves “blurred, confused, or fused” limits when we, or others, violate the established boundaries. To be healthy, it is vital that we know how to maintain our own, and respect the personal boundaries of others.
[Read more…] about How to Gain Instant Success by Having No BoundariesAssertiveness & Boundaries
Assertiveness is a crucial interpersonal skill that involves expressing your thoughts, feelings, needs, and opinions in a respectful and direct manner, while also respecting the rights and boundaries of others. It’s finding a balance between being passive (not expressing yourself) and aggressive (expressing yourself at the expense of others).
[Read more…] about Assertiveness & BoundariesThe Martyr Complex & Psychological Drama
Drama, suffering, self-defeating statements, living in and for crises, upsets and problems can make it difficult to change and grow. When everything is part of the “Soap Opera of Life” we get trapped in the “never ending drama” of responding.
[Read more…] about The Martyr Complex & Psychological Drama“Dry Drunk” Behaviors
Addiction of any type is a serious problem. However, effective treatment requires more than “just stopping” the use of drugs or alcohol. The reality is that when someone “just stops” their addiction, many of the behaviors that “got them into trouble” are “still active.” This “dry drunk” lifestyle is still addictive, even though they may have stopped drinking or using drugs. They are addicted to activities and avoiding real intimacy in their relationships by being unavailable to their partner and the family.
[Read more…] about “Dry Drunk” BehaviorsThe Danger of Enmeshed Families
Therapists have long been concerned with helping families develop healthy ways of caring and relating to one another. After all, it’s important that we care for others and are connected to them for healthy growth. However, there are certain types of “caring” that can interfere with healthy growth patterns for all members of the family.
[Read more…] about The Danger of Enmeshed FamiliesWhy Optimism Works
Let’s look at the science behind optimism. Specifically, let’s review the results of the Optimism-Pessimism Scale from a sampling of patients who had taken the MMPI Psychological Test between 1962 and 1965.
[Read more…] about Why Optimism WorksThe 10 Simple (but not Easy) Rules for Change
We always want change to happen quickly, easily, and without pain. However, the truth of the matter is that change is never as simple or forgiving as you might expect. In order to navigate it without crashing and burning as you struggle, understanding how change does and doesn’t work can make a significant difference in your quest.
[Read more…] about The 10 Simple (but not Easy) Rules for ChangeTo Take Control of your Life, Start by Being Brutally Honest with Yourself
If you’re feeling like your life is spinning out of control, it’s time to take charge. But not in the way you think. In fact, before you actually make any changes, you need to begin with being brutally honest with yourself. I don’t mean paying attention to all of the lies you tell yourself about your self-worth or your limitations. Instead, you have to know what you’re feeling, without spinning out of control in a panic. Trust me – this will feel worse before it gets better. But in the end, you’ll gain the critical skill of self-awareness that will ultimately change everything in your entire approach to life.
[Read more…] about To Take Control of your Life, Start by Being Brutally Honest with Yourself