Blog for Better Living

Learning to Manage Impulses Effectively

By: Other | January 27, 2017

Written by Kelly Anderson, Ph.D. Many people have difficulty controlling their impulses. At one time or another, we may act on urges to stay home from work on a rainy day or raise an angry voice in disagreement. Such impulses arise daily. For some, they come throughout the day; for others, such feelings come out […]

Psychology-Based Study Tips

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 20, 2017

For students starting the spring semester at school, the New Year represents a fresh start for academics. Many students use this transition time to renew their focus on studying and setting goals for higher grades through better study habits. These are noble pursuits, yet without the skills to achieve them, change may not occur. Unlike […]

Personal Improvement, Therapy

Self-Confidence – What Is It and How Can We Strengthen It?

By: Other | January 13, 2017

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. SELF–CONFIDENCE “Confidence in oneself and in one’s powers and abilities” -Merriam Webster Dictionary Merriam Webster defines self-confidence in simple terms. Many of us also define self-confidence in relation to what we want to do but feel too anxious, nervous or worried to act. So, for one person self-confidence might be […]

Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Stress

Freeing Yourself from Clutter: Material and Emotional

By: Other | January 6, 2017

Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. Happy New Year! The time has come when we turn the calendar and embrace the beginning of a new year. We breathe a deep breath and ponder the year ahead. This time often brings self-reflection, memories of the previous year and thoughts for the new year ahead. As we look […]

Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Stress

Living a Giving Life: The Psychological Benefits of Generosity

By: Other | December 23, 2016

Written by Marisa Padilla, Intern As the holiday season approaches, we are constantly surrounded by the message that we should be buying gifts to make others happy. Some of us may get carried away with this material aspect and lose site of the act of generosity. Generosity is a wonderful concept, but interestingly enough, many […]

Holidays, Personal Improvement, Stress

Introverts and Extroverts: The Brain Chemistry Behind Their Differences

By: Other | December 16, 2016

Written by Melissa Hansen, Psy.D. I’m standing in a crowd of people at a conference after the last session. My colleagues – all extroverts – are across the room engaging others in conversation and laughing loudly. I was engaged for a while, but now I’m ready to head home and call it a day. The […]

Personal Improvement, Relationships

Building Blocks for Emotional Resilience

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | December 10, 2016

Changes, stress, and obstacles seem to be an inevitable part of life. Part of effectively coping with these challenges is learning how to be flexible and adapt to the pain that enters our lives. Pain can take the form of many things, including intense emotion, loss, health problems, or relationship difficulties. As it is often […]

Mindful Eating for a Successful Holiday Season

By: Other | December 2, 2016

Written by Kelly Anderson, Ph.D. Winter has finally made its way to San Diego! Along with the cooler weather and shorter nights, many Americans are finding themselves in the middle of the holiday season. Whether or not this time of year holds significance for celebrating holidays, winter is a time that begs for comfort food […]

Finding Center – Spirituality and Mental Health

By: Other | November 25, 2016

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. Over the past 15 years the mental health community has begun exploring the therapeutic relationship between spirituality and mental health. The American Psychological Association, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the National Institutes of Health are examples of organizations that have come to the conclusion that there can and does […]