Blog for Better Living

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Creating a Bucket List: What Would You Attempt to Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail?

By: Other | September 22, 2017

Written by Joy Francisco, Ph.D. A bucket list doesn’t just happen. It evolves. A bucket list is more than things to see and do in this life. It is an exciting way to set goals and an important method for deciding what you want to achieve in your life, for motivating yourself, and for building […]

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Personal Improvement

Meaningful Connections

By: Other | September 15, 2017

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. Do you have meaningful connections in your life? Do you feel uplifted after a conversation with a friend? Are interactions with strangers at the store pleasing to you? Humans have a core necessity to connect with others. These lend meaning and happiness to our lives. Reflecting on our daily encounters […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress

Self-Compassion

By: Other | September 1, 2017

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. When faced with a stressful situation, we might blame ourselves or judge ourselves negatively. While listening to another person talking about the same stressful situations, we are likely to show more caring and kindness. Why is it so hard to offer the same kindness to ourselves that we so easily […]

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Depression, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Stress

How to Get What You Need in a Relationship

By: Other | August 25, 2017

Written by Paula Fortune, Intern We all have needs. We recognize the most basic needs when we feel hungry, tired, or unsafe. These needs have simple solutions that we can accomplish independently. Emotional needs, however, become more complicated when we ask them to be met in a relationship. You may not want to appear needy […]

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Relationships, Therapy

Writing for Mental and Emotional Well-Being

By: Other | August 18, 2017

Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. Some of us enjoy writing. Some of us loathe it. Like any personal affinity or dislike, the process of writing may inspire and resonate with us or we may feel indifferent about it — a task with which we just don’t connect. The reasons we write are different. All of […]

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Depression, Personal Improvement, Therapy

Getting to Goals in Therapy

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | August 11, 2017

You have made the difficult decision to meet with a therapist. But, what will you work on in therapy? What will be the goals of your treatment? Deciding to meet with a therapist for the first time takes strength and courage, especially while experiencing emotional pain and life difficulties. You should know that most therapists […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Therapy

Understanding Adolescence

By: Other | August 4, 2017

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. At this time in my life, I have parents around me with young children in the 2-to-4 year-old range. I’ve been taken by their trials and tribulations while raising increasingly independent beings. I chuckle at the term “threenager,” which describes the emotional and behavioral challenges of that particular age group. […]

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Children, Parenting, Teens

ADHD in Children

By: Other | July 28, 2017

Written by Mike Campbell, Ed.D. A common question I encounter in my work with children is, “Does my child have ADHD or is he or she just being a typical kid?” To this question, I answer that children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity in specific ways. These children: Are in constant […]

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Children, Parenting, Therapy

A Mind Game

By: Other | July 21, 2017

Written by Joy Francisco, Ph.D. Mindfulness, meaning focused awareness, is a concept of increasing popularity among mental health professionals. Mindfulness training for clients focuses on internal and external experiences in the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness interventions can be beneficial in everyday life. Not only adults stand to benefit from focusing awareness on the present […]

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Children, Mindfulness, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress

Taking the First Step: Seeking Therapy Following a Loss

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 14, 2017

Reaching out to a therapist is not always easy. It takes tremendous courage to ask for and receive help. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, taking the first step can be even more challenging. When you lose a loved one, whether a parent, spouse, child, a close friend, or even a […]

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Grief, Therapy