Blog for Better Living
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 […]
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Simply Living by Living Simply
By: Other | January 26, 2018
Written by Joy Francisco, Ph.D. Has life become a hectic struggle? Have we become overly busy chasing for more that our lives have become cluttered with unnecessary belongings, responsibilities and extra burdens? These things can cloud our lives so much that we cannot focus on the things that are really important and meaningful to us. We […]
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Our Gratitude Tree 2017
By: Other | January 12, 2018
Written by Jennifer Wendt, Ph.D. This Fall, we shared a wonderful experience practicing gratitude in our office. We created a large Gratitude Tree on the wall of our Therapy Changes office in Rancho Bernardo. Everyone who entered our office was encouraged to take a moment to invite gratitude into their hearts and minds. It was […]
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Changing Light of a Room
By: Other | January 5, 2018
Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. “I always forget how important the empty days are, how important it may be sometimes not to expect to produce anything, even a few lines in a journal. A day when one has not pushed oneself to the limit seems a damaged damaging day, a sinful day. Not so! The […]
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Remaining Positive about Ourselves and Our Lives
By: Other | December 8, 2017
Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. “The Good Life is a Process…Not a State of Being.” –Carl Rogers Are the demands of seasonal social gatherings and family getting you down? Are financial pressures or employment piquing your positive perspective? Does it feel like chaos and worry are taking over your life? The practice of Positive Psychology […]
Read MoreAnger, Anxiety, Depression, Holidays, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Stress
Avoidance to Acceptance
By: Other | October 20, 2017
Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. Do you procrastinate? Do you push off the stuff you don’t want to do to some indeterminate future? Avoiding things in day to day life is fairly common, especially when associated with something unpleasant or something we just do not want to do but feel we must. I remember as […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Grief, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Stress, Therapy
Creativity 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 […]
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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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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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