Blog for Better Living

How to Set Goals You’ll Actually Achieve

By: Ashley Malooly, Ph.D. | February 23, 2024

If you find yourself losing momentum on your New Year’s resolutions, you’re not alone. This is a common phenomenon; studies estimate that 80-90% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned before the end of the year, and often by the end of January! This experience can be disheartening, to say the least. As a psychologist who […]

Holidays, Personal Improvement, Stress

A Therapist’s Wish for 2024

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | December 29, 2023

The new year signifies a time of reflection and gratitude. This especially reigns true this year, as COVID’s grip on us lessened. The national public health emergency officially ended on May 11, 2023. It’s hard to believe that only a short time ago the world opened up and things seem to operate in their pre-pandemic […]

Managing the Holidays with PTSD

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 22, 2023

If you are struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and feeling anxious about the upcoming holidays, you are not alone. Large gatherings of loved ones, crowded stores, and big, bustling events with loud sounds can be overstimulating. This, combined with the added pressure around the holidays to join in and enjoy the festivities […]

A Psychologist’s Guide to Stress-Free Celebrations

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | November 17, 2023

How to Honor Your Values and Boundaries this Holiday Season The holiday season often brings a whirlwind of activities, social gatherings, and family events. While it can be a joyous time, it can also be overwhelming, which can exacerbate stress and anxiety. As a psychologist who practices from an action-oriented, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, […]

How to Renew Your New Year Resolutions

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | February 17, 2023

It is that time of the year when many of us resolve to make changes in our lives. Inevitably, over the course of a few months, the enthusiasm and zeal to stick to our New Year’s resolutions starts to fade. Like many of us, I am not immune to this cycle, and I have often […]

When an Attitude of Gratitude Hurts

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 16, 2022

The holiday season is upon us, and images of seemingly blissful couples and families dressed in cozy winter sweaters are splashed across our media. These happy, “shiny” people are shown enjoying a Thanksgiving feast together, frolicking in leaves, and cuddling by the fireplace. We are encouraged to ‘count our blessings!’ and ‘be grateful’ for what […]

Why are holidays so hard? A Guide for Coping

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 25, 2022

If the holidays don’t feel like the often quoted ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ you aren’t alone in that feeling. At an early age, we learn that the holidays are times for festivity, a time for the entire family to come together in perfect joy. Social media shows idyllic images of beautiful families together, […]

Family, Grief, Holidays, Stress, Trauma

Mindfulness for Holiday Stress

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 21, 2022

It’s almost holiday season! This statement might elicit excitement, joy, as well as other emotions such as dread, stress, or a combination of these, and other feelings. The holidays raise mixed emotions, and for many of us, stress is an expected component of this time of year. Between holiday travel, possible inclement weather, gift buying, […]

Anxiety, Family, Holidays, Mindfulness

A Therapist’s Wish for Your 2022!

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 7, 2022

A new year brings fresh opportunities and possibilities. It signifies a time of reflection and gratitude for what’s most important in our lives. This is especially true with 2021 in the rearview mirror. Although 2021 started strong with vaccinations bringing the hope of some semblance of normalcy, it was still a tough year! We faced […]