Blog for Better Living

Thought Crimes: Why Your Thoughts Don’t Define You

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 6, 2024

Have you even beaten yourself up, judged yourself, or felt ashamed for having a thought that might upset others if you shared it with them? Does thinking poorly about someone make you a bad person? Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was among the first to grapple with these concepts, which are referred to as “thought crimes.” […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress

Balancing Motherhood This Holiday Season

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | November 15, 2024

The holidays are a time when traditions, family gatherings, and festivities take center stage, and for many mothers, this means taking on the responsibility of organizing the celebrations. The role of the mother as the “heart” of holiday traditions is deeply ingrained in many societies, particularly in cultures where familial ties and communal gatherings are […]

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Anxiety, Family, Holidays, Stress

How to Say Goodbye

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 8, 2024

How can we possibly say goodbye to someone we love when they approach the end of their life? It seems like an impossible task because we simply don’t want to say goodbye to the people we love – especially if we are saying goodbye forever. Facing this certainty feels unbearable. As hard as it may […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Relationships

Overcoming Midlife Malaise: Simple Strategies for Renewal

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | November 1, 2024

What is my purpose? How can I make the most of the time I have left? Is this all there is to life? If you’ve been pondering these questions, you may be experiencing midlife malaise. While having a “midlife crisis” is often stereotyped by getting a divorce, splurging on an expensive sports car, and pursuing […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Non-Psychological Factors Contributing to Anxiety: It’s Not All in Your Head

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 25, 2024

Anxiety is commonly associated with psychological triggers like stress, trauma, or major life changes. However, many people experience anxiety that arises from underlying physical and environmental factors that frequently go unnoticed. The body and mind are closely interconnected, and disturbances in physical health can appear as emotional and cognitive symptoms. If you are struggling with […]

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Anxiety, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress, Trauma

Anxious Attachment Style Explained

By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | October 18, 2024

Insights for Healthier Relationships   We all know that relationships matter, but what makes them so important? Relationships are essential to our survival as humans. Deeply rooted in our evolutionary history, they offer safety, shared resources and cooperative parenting, thus enhancing our chances of making it through challenging times. In today’s world, relationships continue to […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Relationships

Embracing Imperfection

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 13, 2024

Rethinking the Quest for the Perfect Conversation   Imagine gliding effortlessly through an anxiety-free conversation where you can clearly and calmly focus on what others are saying and be ready with a perfectly timed funny/empathetic/intelligent response. You feel confident! You look amazing! Sounds great, right…but is it possible? While you might imagine this kind of […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Relationships

Understanding Religious Trauma and Its Effects

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 6, 2024

Trauma refers to the profound emotional and psychological impact that occurs when an individual’s sense of safety is compromised and their ability to cope is overwhelmed. Such experiences often shatter a person’s sense of security, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Trauma can arise from a wide array of experiences and is […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, Stress, Trauma

Navigating Mental Health Advice

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | August 23, 2024

How to Identify What Works and What Doesn’t   Mental health has become a prominent and widely discussed topic since the pandemic, and there is currently more information on the subject than ever before. This change has benefits like de-stigmatizing mental illness and helping people feel more comfortable accessing services. However, the sheer amount of […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress, Therapy