Typically, when I talk with a client about not having motivation, we’re talking about doing something unpleasant or uncomfortable (e.g., going to the gym, sticking to that intense meal prep plan, studying for the exam next week.) We rarely talk about a lack of motivation to see friends, play video games, or go on that beach vacation you’ve got coming up
Read MoreNo matter what we try, our mind has a curious tendency to present us with negative and distressing thoughts at inopportune times. Our attempts to control that flow of bad thoughts can be pretty frustrating. Here’s how to get un-stuck.
Read MoreWhat’s it like to be alone with your thoughts? For some of us, it can be a pretty scary time. Whether we’re trying to get back to sleep at 3 a.m., trying to sit down and focus on a school or work assignment, or just waiting in line at the DMV, our mind tends to give us a lotto think about. Take Josh, from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Read MoreWhat do you think of when you think about “going to therapy?” If you’re like me, your mind might go to the image of laying on a couch and talking to a therapist about your childhood, the dream you had last night, or the latest argument you got into with a friend or partner.
Read MoreDecades of research has shown that social connections are as important to our survival and wellbeing as the need for food, safety, and shelter. It makes perfect sense that we are motivated to do whatever we can to fulfill our need to belong.
Read MoreLast week I was facilitating a weekly group for six of my clients—all very high-functioning 20 and 30 something women. All of these women have successful careers, multi-faceted interests, and numerous accomplishments. All of them tell themselves they are not good enough.
Read MoreMost people enter therapy with the goal of feeling better. Many of my clients tell me, “I just want to be happy.” Makes sense. Who wouldn’t want to feel happy? But what if I told you, that in order to feel happy, we also need to be willing to feel pain. In other words—we can’t “feel better” without first getting better at feeling.
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