Blog for Better Living
Are You Coping with SAD?
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | November 9, 2018
I always feel better when I’ve had some time outside in the sun. The sensation of sun on my skin makes me feel more relaxed and rejuvenated. What about you? People by the millions travel every year to sunny beaches for vacations so they can soak up some sunshine. Even in sunny places such as […]
Read MoreBack to School, Back to Routine: The Cost of Tech Addiction
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | August 31, 2018
The final weeks of summer are upon us. The sun is out, final vacations are being savored. We have the time and space to interact with the people around us. Weekend adventures and warm evenings prompt us to step outside to engage with the natural world. We noticeably “feel” better, healthier, and are consciously aware […]
Read MoreThoughts on Interdependence at Commencement
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | June 22, 2018
It’s graduation season! A graduation ceremony is also known as commencement wherein the completion of something arduous and challenging is recognized while celebrating the beginning of a new journey. I attended a graduation ceremony this weekend and had some nostalgia reflecting back on my own graduation experiences. The excitement, relief, and anticipation of what’s next […]
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Spring: The Season for a Fresh Start
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | April 20, 2018
Renewal, rebirth, and regrowth: these are words commonly associated with Spring. All begin with the prefix “re,” which means “again,” “is back,” or signals repetition. Spring, therefore, is a season of action, to redo or begin again. For me, Spring compels me to enjoy the outside and nature more and to feel reenergized. For many […]
Read MoreHow Does Positive Reinforcement Change Behavior?
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | February 16, 2018
We recently welcomed a new canine into our family and are in the process of behavior training and housebreaking. By working with an experienced trainer, I learned that training is more about changing human behavior than it is about changing the animal’s behavior. What’s fascinating is how the most subtle behaviors impact my dog in […]
Read MoreGiving Really is Better than Receiving
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | December 15, 2017
You may hear the phrase “it’s better to give than to receive” more often around the holidays, that time of year associated with giving and receiving gifts. In our consumerist culture, we can lose sight of what we already have to focus exclusively on our needs and wants. Money cannot buy happiness despite what advertisements […]
Read MoreCreativity and Mental Health
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 13, 2017
Did you know that your creative efforts create psychological benefits? Looking back on your childhood, you may have memories about the types of play you once enjoyed. Children use legos, dolls, sandcastles, art, imaginary friends, music, acting, building forts, and the like to explore their imagination and creativity. Whereas children easily immerse themselves for long […]
Read MoreGetting 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 […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Grief, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Therapy
Getting Unstuck: Living with Purpose
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | June 9, 2017
Are you stuck in a place you do not want to be? Are you disheartened to find a great distance between who you are and the person you would like to be? Are you stuck in old patterns, habits, or autopilot behaviors? Do you experience thoughts that discourage change or feelings that make it seem […]
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