Blog for Better Living
A Therapist’s Wish for 2023
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 6, 2023
This year I continue the tradition of writing about my personal reflections of the previous year, lessons I’ve learned, and intentions for the future. I hope that you enjoy this article and the musings. At the beginning of 2022, I felt overwhelmed by all the catching up I felt I needed to do in my […]
Read MoreWhen an Attitude of Gratitude Hurts
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 16, 2022
The holiday season is upon us, and images of seemingly blissful couples and families dressed in cozy winter sweaters are splashed across our media. These happy, “shiny” people are shown enjoying a Thanksgiving feast together, frolicking in leaves, and cuddling by the fireplace. We are encouraged to ‘count our blessings!’ and ‘be grateful’ for what […]
Read MoreRejection Sensitive Dysphoria: What You Need to Know
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 30, 2022
Most people are concerned with being liked and fear rejection by others, but those with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) are hypersensitive to this possibility and the repercussions are profound. A desire to be liked and accepted by others is a deeply embedded survival instinct and feeling rejected is a fundamentally distressing, and at times, quite […]
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Unplugging the Social Anxiety Spotlight
By: Other | September 23, 2022
Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. If you dread social situations because you worry about being perceived as “weird,” or if you feel awkward around new people or in groups, you are likely experiencing the immobilizing effect of social anxiety. Although it is common to feel some nervousness in social settings (especially during re-entry in the […]
Read MoreHow to Cultivate Self-Compassion
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 16, 2022
Experiences such as loss, pain, and disappointment are unavoidable parts of being human. If we want to feel the good stuff in life such as love, connection, and proud moments, then we must also accept the risk of the flip side of these experiences. For example, if you love someone, you are vulnerable to feeling […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Relationships
How to Positively Respond to Change
By: Lisa Card Strong, Ph.D. | September 2, 2022
Our society is changing in cavernous ways. I never expected a pandemic combined with such significant political and social unrest. I am shocked and profoundly saddened by the horrible rebounds and backward motion for women’s rights and LBGTQ+, Black, and minority communities. I am shaking in my boots from it all. Okay, I’m not wearing […]
Read MoreAnger, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Racial Justice, Stress
Why You Should Embrace Your Anger
By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | August 5, 2022
Anger is a fascinating emotion because it can be good for our mental health, but it can also cause problems in our relationships. Anger provides us with energy, passion, and vitality required to fight for the causes we believe in and stand up for ourselves. We all experience anger and anger does not go away […]
Read MoreFinding Hope
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | July 8, 2022
How do we find hope when everything around us feels overwhelming and impossible? How do we get through the day when there has been so much loss for so many? How do we find the strength to raise our heads when we feel beaten down? I’ve often thought of hope as having a future orientation: […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Racial Justice, Stress, Trauma
Self-Care Doesn’t Always Feel Good
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 10, 2022
Self-care has shifted in recent mainstream dialogue from a specific definition to anything that loosely relates to feeling good. Admittedly, I am guilty of using this watered-down, overly generalized definition at times. When I think about self-care, the things that pop into my head are getting a massage, going to the beach, or cuddling on […]
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