Blog for Better Living
The Hidden Truth Behind Where to Find Real Motivation
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | January 17, 2025
How many times have you thought, “If I could just get motivated…”? You might try making lists or searching online for inspiration. You may even tell loved ones about the things you want to accomplish and the changes you want to make. Despite your efforts, motivation often doesn’t appear. When that happens, it leaves you […]
Read MoreHow to Handle Stress and Anxiety After the Election Results
By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | January 10, 2025
Emotions ran particularly high during this election season given the significance of the topics being debated, such as women’s reproductive rights, immigration and mass deportation, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and transgender rights, to name a few. Our country remains in a state of political divisiveness. As such, it is understandable that those on the losing side […]
Read MoreThought 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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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 […]
Read MoreOvercoming 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 […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress
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 […]
Read MoreNavigating 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 […]
Read MoreSelf-Care Made Simple With GRAPES
By: Ashley Malooly, Ph.D. | August 16, 2024
Self-neglect and self-loathing are out, and self-care is in! Everyone from celebrities to doctors, morning shows, and even business publications promote the need for improved self-care practices. It’s no surprise that giving yourself some personal time helps lessen stress. Research shows that practicing self-care daily has a profound effect on both our mental and physical […]
Read MoreThe Power of Validation
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 9, 2024
We all want to feel heard, accepted, valued, and even loved. When we validate someone, we are essentially giving them this experience. Life can be confusing and difficult for all of us, but when we are genuinely validated, we feel acknowledged and reassured that we are not alone. Life seems more manageable, and we become […]
Read MoreAnger, Anxiety, Depression, Parenting, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma