Psychological Spring Cleaning
While spring conjures up beautiful images of tulips, crocuses, and daffodils, it is also a yearly reminder to clean one's abode. Historically, when people turned to herbs for most of their medicinal needs, spring was associated with rejuvenating the liver by taking the milk thistle for a couple of weeks, or simply adding dandelion greens to a daily salad. Psychologically, it is an opportunity to do an interior sweep of one's cranium. I'm talking about all those repetitive thoughts that create feelings and catalyze behaviors, some desirable, and some not so welcome.
If you feel stagnant from... Read More
There is an abundance of literature providing evidence for a link between perfectionism and depression. People who are highly self-critical with respect to perfectionism are more vulnerable to 
Most of you as clinicians, and likely some among you as prospective clients and curious readers, have heard of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). In a nutshell, this is a psychotherapeutic modality focusing on behaviors that are not helpful in getting one's needs met in relationships and life at large and are often destructive. My sense is that the focus in this form of therapy is not the cognitive component, or core beliefs, that drive these behaviors but rather the behaviors that are negatively impacting a client's life. It is my intention, and my passion and heart's desire as a psychotherapist,... 
Childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) can have lingering effects. Adults who suffered mistreatment as children often struggle emotionally and socially throughout their lives as a result of being neglected or emotionally abused. Although there is an abundance of literature and research that focuses on the negative impact of childhood maltreatment (CM) in general, there is little available clinical evidence documenting the devastating effects of CEM. It has been well established that CM, including sexual and physical abuse, can increase the risk for depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and a host... 
Images of unrealistic female ideals are rampant in the media. Magazine covers, television shows, and movies celebrate the tall, thin, and nearly flawless female figure. Most of these portrayals are fictitious, the result of airbrushing, digital enhancement, and skilled make-up artists. But these unrealistic ideals can cause the average woman to become dissatisfied with her own authentic and real body image. Body dissatisfaction has increased dramatically over the past several decades, conversely in proportion with the shrinking of the media’s representation of the perfect female body. Even though... 
Empathy is an emotion that is directly related to the bonds that were formed in childhood. “Children from 
Perfectionism is multi-dimensional, including evaluative concerns (EV) and personal standards (PS) of perfectionism. “Whereas PS perfectionism is primarily defined by the setting of high standards per se, EC perfectionism is primarily defined by 
Thanksgiving is a holiday for cultivating gratitude for all the good in our lives. It’s also an opportunity to participate in a ritual of breaking bread with loved ones, a celebration of our connection to others, sharing the plentiful food that we are fortunate enough to have.
Yet as Thanksgiving approached, several of my clients who see me for help with their eating-related problems expressed apprehension about the upcoming holiday. Their worries focused mainly on the plethora of food they anticipated would be at the meal, and some described family gatherings at which food was around at all... 
I’ve learned to trust myself, to listen to truth, to not be afraid of it and to not try and hide it.
-Sarah McLachlan
There are no physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual benefits to low self-esteem. On the other hand, when you value yourself highly you are most likely positive, consider life to be a playful adventure, are confident in your abilities, maintain a healthy lifestyle, laugh a lot, and are never bored by what life offers.
What are 20 things you love about yourself? How easily you complete this exercise or (complete it at all!) will give you an idea about your current... 
This month our Paramita, or practice on the path to happiness, is virya, which is translated as exertion, diligence or joyful effort. Many of us, especially if we live full and busy lives, might respond to the very notion with a sigh, a feeling of overwhelm, or the sense that, once again, we have not done, been, or accomplished Enough. Now even the Buddhists are scolding us, “Try harder!”
No. That’s not what it means.
In truth, effort is required for us to do anything, to live our lives, whether simple or complex. We often make things harder than they need to be by judging ourselves... 
