Pursuing therapy for the first time (or maybe even the fifth time!) can be daunting. Whether you are looking to build insight, change behaviors, or improve relationships, congratulations for recognizing that need and for taking this sometimes scary step in the right direction. Let me tell you a little bit about what to expect and […]
05
Mar
Mar
If you’re neurodivergent – whether you’re autistic, ADHD, gifted, or something else – your brain may process and regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin a little differently than neurotypical brains do. This isn’t about pathologising difference, and you aren’t “flawed”. It’s just useful to know how to work with your own neurobiological reality. Because […]
23
Feb
Feb
Introduction While my heart is largely with my loved ones in the US at moments like this, I know that many American expats are also feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stretched by what’s happening in the US. Being abroad can create a particular kind of distress: you’re physically removed from events, yet emotionally tethered through […]
10
Sep
Sep
My life was changed when I learned mindfulness. Why? Consider this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh: “Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves. Consider, for example: a magician who cuts his body into many parts and places each part in a different region—hands in the south, arms in the east, legs […]
10
Sep
Sep
You may have noticed that when you are sad, you feel less energy, or when you are excited, your heart races. It’s not just you; it is true that your emotions can affect not just your mind but also your body. In fact, your emotions are supposed to activate your body. That is why emotions […]
10
Sep
Sep
In addition to the cognitive behavioral therapy you are probably doing with your counselor or psychologist, there are several things you can do in between sessions to promote positive emotions and reduce the impact of negative emotions. Techniques for managing your emotions: 1. Get enough sleep. Sleep is not just something that is nice to have; […]
10
Sep
Sep
Values are our personal principles about what is good and right in the world and what is important to us. Research indicates that when our values motivate our actions, we are more likely to experience a well-formed sense of self, greater life satisfaction, and reduced psychological distress. Yet, we often get to a point in […]
10
Sep
Sep
Have you ever had a “love-hate” relationship? Of course you have… like you love your partner even though she may often nag you to help out, and you love your father even though it’s annoying how much he repeats himself. That’s because two apparently contradictory things can both be true at the same time. We […]
10
Sep
Sep
The vast majority of my clients go through life with a lens of shame. Maybe it’s an obvious shame, like if you cheated on a partner and can’t forgive yourself. Maybe it’s a very deep, hidden shame that you aren’t even aware of until you’ve been in therapy for a long time, like some perceived […]
03
Sep
Sep
Most people underestimate the impact of neurotransmitters on their mental health. This is particularly true if you have a condition that causes a deficiency or irregularity of a neurotransmitter. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in feelings of pleasure and joy, and when you don’t have enough of it (as in ADHD), you probably […]
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