Blog for Better Living
Mirror, Mirror: Breaking Free of the Comparison Trap
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | April 22, 2022
Have you ever left a class or staff meeting feeling like an imposter because you think that everyone is smarter than you? Have you ever looked at your social media feed and felt envy for someone else’s seemingly beautiful life? If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. It’s human nature to compare ourselves to […]
Read More7 Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles
By: Other | March 18, 2022
Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. There are often many challenges encountered when trying to solve a problem and reach a goal. The process can be discouraging, and as more obstacles are encountered, frustration and exhaustion magnify. For example, I recently inherited a broken koi pond. I have been determined to either fix it or keep […]
Read MoreLet Go of a Timeline and Create Your Own Path
By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | January 14, 2022
From the time we are born, our developmental milestones are closely monitored, from walking to talking to our social behavior. In school we are compared to a cohort of kids of similar age until we graduate high school. We are primed to live by a timeline, to plan, and to compare ourselves to others. While […]
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A Therapist’s Wish for Your 2022!
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 7, 2022
A new year brings fresh opportunities and possibilities. It signifies a time of reflection and gratitude for what’s most important in our lives. This is especially true with 2021 in the rearview mirror. Although 2021 started strong with vaccinations bringing the hope of some semblance of normalcy, it was still a tough year! We faced […]
Read MoreNothing to Fear, But Fear Itself
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 31, 2021
Understanding and Treating Panic Attacks Have you ever experienced anxiety come on so quickly and with such intensity that you feared you were having a heart attack or that you were going crazy? Maybe your heart was pounding, or you were sweating or shaking. You might have visited the hospital or called your doctor only […]
Read MoreHow Can I Tell if My Therapy is Working?
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 10, 2021
When I meet with clients for the first time, I ask whether they have had therapy before. If they answer ‘yes,’ I ask what was helpful or not helpful in that experience. I often hear people say they felt like they just vented to their therapist and didn’t get anywhere during their sessions. Surprisingly, many […]
Read MoreThe Effects of Childhood Trauma
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 27, 2021
When we think of childhood, we typically associate feelings of security, love, optimism, and joy. Feeling protected and cared for during our childhood not only allows us to develop a secure sense of self but also healthy relationships later in life. Unfortunately, not everyone grows up feeling this way. Even if you had a generally […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Substance Abuse, Trauma
Are My Problems Big Enough for Therapy?
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 13, 2021
Some clients say they’re ‘just being silly’ when they talk about their problems during therapy. This tells me my clients regard their concerns as unimportant, not valid, or that they do not deserve care and attention. If this is something you’ve heard yourself say, or something others have said to you, you do not stand […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Therapy
Should I Get Help for My Intrusive Thoughts?
By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | July 30, 2021
We all experience intrusive thoughts like ‘Did I turn off the stove?’ or `What if I get sick with a serious illness?’ or ‘Would I ever jump off this cliff?’ Sometimes we take action to manage the anxiety that accompanies these thoughts such as double checking that the stove is turned off, seeing a doctor […]
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