Did you know that you are the most important factor in your therapy? It may seem surprising given the amount of time we spend searching for the right provider and the right therapy approach. However, research shows that around 55% of therapy outcome is related to extra-therapeutic factors such as client readiness for change, willingness,…
In this multi-part blog post series, we having been exploring afflictive (or disturbing) emotions and more helpful ways we can relate to them. In Part I, we discussed how courage, compassion and wisdom help us respond more skillfully so that suffering is reduced. In Part II we will talk about acceptance, which is allowing (rather than avoiding,…
I’m sorry to break the bad news to all the quick fixers out there, but real and lasting positive change takes a significant time investment. Think of all the self-improvement activities you’ve ever engaged in: getting your education, cultivating long-term relationships, becoming physically fit, excelling at a sport or a musical instrument, exploring your spirituality –…
We all engage in problematic behavior from time to time, despite the fact that we intellectually realize it’s not good for us. When we do this repeatedly, it can feel like a painful trap we fall into over and over again that we are powerless to avoid. These patterns can include things like turning to…
One of the trickiest aspects of a psychologist’s job is to help motivate clients to do things they are reluctant to do, but may help them feel better. Common mental health problems like depression and anxiety involve a biased or stereotyped pattern of thinking and behaving which maintains or exacerbates the condition. These patterns keep…
Have you ever had somebody listen to you intently and objectively with the sole purpose of understanding you and assisting you in reaching your potential? For most of us, this is a luxury and very rare. Our loved ones are not very objective and they frequently have their own agendas for us. They give us…
A habit is any action that is performed so often that it becomes almost an involuntary or automatic response. Some people use the words “habit” and “addiction” interchangeably; however, there are important differences between them. A habit is something a person is inclined or accustomed to doing routinely, almost without thinking, There is often no…
When a person has been experiencing longstanding discomfort – perhaps months or years of unhappiness, anxiety, loneliness, anger – they certainly know they want to feel better, but they may be unsure of what to do about it. Breaking out of these uncomfortable feeling patterns often requires a change – and change is hard! Successful…
Have you found yourself at the end of your rope in your relationship? Perhaps you are feeling very dissatisfied, but your partner doesn’t seem willing to make a change. Or maybe, things have changed for periods of time, but they inevitably drift back to the way they were. If this rings true, feelings of resentment…
Why do some people lie over and over again, sometimes even about seemingly inconsequential things? It can be quite frustrating and damaging, both to the recipient of the lies and to the person doing the lying. A good assessment may be needed first to rule out substance abuse or other compulsive behaviors as well as…
