IDENTITY

What is identity? 

According to Psychology Today, identity encompasses the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one’s sense of self. Over time, this perception of self creates an answer to the question, “Who am I?” as new aspects of identity are developed through experiences.

Identity includes both external and internal characteristics of oneself. External characteristics are those which a person has no control over, such as height, socioeconomic class, and race. If you are struggling with identifying with your race, ethnicity, or finding your cultural identity, click here to read more.  Internal qualities include more abstract concepts like opinions, values, religious beliefs, and morals. These qualities serve as a guiding compass for how one lives and makes choices.

Identity can also be influenced by relationships with people in your life, such as your parents or your peers. If you’re struggling with your identity in relation to your family, such as differences in religion or beliefs, click here to read more about family and identity.

Am I struggling with my identity?

If you feel overly concerned about the impression you have on others, or feel that who you are at the core is not being expressed, you may be struggling with your identity. If you feel that you are struggling with your gender identity or sexuality, click here to read more about LGBTQ+ identities.

Do you enjoy your work life? Your career? Do you feel that it fits you? If not, you may be struggling with a discrepancy between your identity and your career or finances. Click here to read more about this.

Why is knowing my identity important?

Identity is related to mental health and psychological well-being. Authenticity is a concept that describes knowing yourself and acting in accordance with who you believe you are, and is correlated with self- esteem, coping ability, and vitality. Therefore, not feeling like your true identity is being expressed can be destructive to your mental health.

What causes an identity crisis?

Life stressors and big life transitions can cause you to question your sense of self. Life stressors include events such as getting married or divorced, moving, experiencing a traumatic eventlosing a loved one, losing or getting a job, and discovering new health issues.

According to Erik Erikson, a renowned Psychologist, there are seven areas of conflict that you can examine to find a solution to your identity crisis: Time perspective, self-certainty, role experimentation, anticipation of achievement, sexual identity, leadership polarization, and ideological convictions. Click here to read more about these different conflict areas.

What should I do if I’m struggling with my identity?

It is completely normal to question who you are. As human beings we are constantly growing and changing and adapting, so it’s okay if you aren’t sure about yourself on occasion. However, if your absence of a sense of identity is affecting your functioning and you feel you are constantly thinking about it, seek help. A negative view of yourself can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. If you experience suicidal thoughts, you should seek help immediately. Click here to schedule an appointment with a clinician at CARE if you are feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts.

Looking inward and exploring within yourself can help you discover your identity. If you feel like you aren’t sure how or where to start, schedule a visit with a therapist at CARE. Additionally, searching for joy in your life can help you understand what you value. Finally, find support. Seek help from your family and friends, or a health professional.

We’re Here to help

Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.

Meet Clinicians

We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.

The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.

Understanding What Therapy Isn’t

Therapy is a tool for anyone seeking support, personal growth, or better mental and emotional well-being.
trust and intimacy

Building Trust and Intimacy

Building trust and intimacy is an ongoing process that requires effort, patience, and vulnerability.
conflict resolution

Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies

Remember to seek common ground and focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the problem.
Healthy connections

Promoting Positive Peer Relationships and Social Skills

School counselors play a pivotal role in nurturing these relationships and equipping students with essential social skills.
Support

Supporting LGBTQ+ Students

As we continue to strive for equity and inclusivity in education.
Bullying

Understanding and Addressing Bullying

Bullying is a serious issue that demands attention and action from parents.

Nurturing Mental Well-Being: How to Discuss Starting Therapy with Your College Student

The college years are a time of growth, exploration, and learning, but they can also be accompanied bychallenges that may impact a student's mental well-being.

Supporting Student Success: The Power of Therapy in Overcoming Educational Challenges

Higher education is a transformative journey that opens doors to a world of opportunities and personal growth. However, the path to success is not always smooth, and many students face overwhelming challenges that lead them to contemplate dropping out.
Friendship rituals

Friendship Rituals

Let the power of friendship rituals weave a beautiful tapestry of love, laughter, and support that will strengthen your friendships for years to come.
Vacations

Family Vacations and Mental Health

The quality time, emotional connections, and shared challenges during these trips foster a sense of togetherness and support.
Community mental wellness

How to Promote Mental Wellness in Your Community

Promoting mental wellness in our community is a collective effort that requires compassion, understanding, and collaboration.
Become an ally

Become an Ally: Three Ways to be More Accepting

We all need to feel physically and emotionally safe, to feel connected within relationships.
The Influence of Caregivers on Attachment Styles

The Influence of Caregivers on Attachment Styles

As we celebrate caregivers in our lives, now is an appropriate time to reflect on the influence of significant caregivers, attachment styles, parenting practices, and how this impacts adult attachment.
Adult Relationship Attachment Styles

Adult Relationship Attachment Styles and Helpful Tips for Each Kind

As adult children move away from dependance on their primary attachment figure and form other significant intimate relationships, we learn more about ourselves, our relational needs, and how to communicate in ways that help us feel understood, seen, and loved in relationships.
Five Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health with Peers

Five Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health with Peers

Talking about mental health with peers is one of the best ways to celebrate mental health awareness month.
Help! My Life Feels Empty!

Help, My Life Feels Empty!

Does your life feel like it is dull, and boring, with nothing to look forward to?
Spring Maintenance for Well Being

Spring Maintenance Checklist for Well-Being

Spring is a wonderful time to re-evaluate priorities, clean out things that are cluttering up your life, and get a fresh start.
Stress Relief Resources for Teenagers & Free Online Skills to Relax

Stress Relief Resources for Teenagers & Free Online Skills to Relax

Most teens are going to experience stress. Commons sources include pressure put on oneself or from others around performance such as getting good grades and excelling in activities such as sports.
Seeing Humanity Within Characters of Your Family’s Drama

Seeing Humanity Within Characters of Your Family’s Drama

As you watch the family drama unfold before your eyes as an audience member viewing a performance such as “True West” written by Sam Shepard it is hard to not think about the characters in your own story.
Feeling Connected During Times of Physical Separation

Feeling Connected During Times of Physical Separation

It can be hard to feel like you are still connected when physically separated from loved ones. Finding ways to feel connected even during physical distance can help aid in coping.
Autophobia

Autophobia: The Fear of Being Alone

Autophobia = fear of being alone. Autophobia is not recognized as an official diagnosis but falls within the category of a situational phobia, triggered by the fear of being alone or being lonely.
Awareness vs Acceptance for Autism

Awareness vs Acceptance for Autism

World Autism Awareness Day is observed this year on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, and the entire month of April is focused on autism acceptance.
Considerations for Providers Working with Children in the BIPOC Community

Mandated Reporting: Considerations for Providers Working with Children in the BIPOC Community

Since Black and Native American children are disproportionately reported and involved in child protective services in Minnesota, reading literature on topics such as systemic racism, ways to help break cycles and help children thrive, family preservation, kinship care, and building on the strengths of families is the first of many systems towards systemic change for everyone who works with children, but especially important when working with the BIPOC community.
“Systems” Involvement and Preservation of Black Families in Minnesota

“Systems” Involvement and Preservation of Black Families in Minnesota

As an early career mental health therapist, I worked predominantly with Black families with children who were involved in the “system” Most referrals for mental health evaluations and therapy came directly from the county for children working with child protective services (CPS) or juvenile probation.