Signs of an Emotionally Mature Person: Becoming the Best Version of Your Adult Self

signs of an emotionally mature person: becoming the best version of your adult self - nice old man brown wood backgroundEmotional maturity is “a high and appropriate level of emotional control and expression” as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA). Emotional maturity is not something that is achieved and is done with—it is a continual area of self-development. A foundational sign of a psychologically healthy person is being willing and able to reflect on their emotional health.

Therapy is for all who are working on improving their mental health. Yes, this includes therapists. Many clients of therapy desire to seek a positive outcome in areas such as increasing awareness of self, strengthening relationships, improving functioning at work/ school, and improving the ability to be resilient amid adversity. Life is stressful, and most people will experience mental health challenges at some point.

The therapy space is where one can process thoughts, feelings, and experiences and learn skills to help them thrive. Imagine taking ongoing steps to become the best version of yourself. This is what therapy looks like for many folks who want to go beyond just trying to survive. If you are in survival mode, that is OK. We can meet you where you are and come alongside with support to help.

Emotional maturity is possible amid experiences of trauma, an insecure attachment, or emotional immaturity that may be seen in various mental health disorders including neurodevelopmental disorders, untreated addiction, mental health problems, and personality disorders as these can all impact social development or impulse control.

Below is a list of signs of emotionally mature people. The following are all areas that can be explored, developed, and strengthened in therapy.

Emotionally Mature People Are:

  • Aware of self, including thoughts, feelings, patterns of behavior, interests, values, strengths, and growth areas.
  • Able to reflect on thoughts/ feelings/ behaviors of self & others and develop insight into situations.
  • Not afraid to reach out for support from others (including therapy).
  • Open to feedback and demonstrate a commitment to self-improvement.
  • Able to accept feedback and learn from it.
  • Effectively able to relate to a variety of people and form healthy relationships.
  • Strong interpersonal communicators.
  • Comfortable addressing topics and managing conflict while working together.
  • Responsible for their role while not taking on blame projected from others.
  • Able to regulate emotions, especially in response to triggers.
  • Able to develop trust and vulnerability within intimate relationships.
  • Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries
  • Willing and open to relational repair when needed.
  • Actively creating physical, emotional, and spiritual safety.
  • Comfortable being alone and engaging with others.
  • Connected and experience a sense of purpose/ meaning.
  • Able to be in the present moment.
  • Able to accept/ integrate past experiences.
  • Excited about the future; they can think ahead, plan goals, and celebrate achievements.
  • Caring about other people and their feelings; they are empathetic, encouraging, & supportive.
  • Advocates of self-love, taking good care of themselves to show up at their best for others.
  • Good at checking in about work-life balance.
  • Using skills to manage responsibilities at work/school, home, and in relationships.
  • Engaged in enjoyable activities that are important to interest and values.

Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC

Learn and Practice DBT Skills to Help You Cope This Holiday Season

Did you know that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has some excellent, easy to remember skills that can be used on the go to cope during the holidays?

How can Therapy Help When I am Feeling Overwhelmed with the Holidays?

The holidays can bring a wide spectrum of emotions—from excitement, joy, and anticipation to anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, depression, loneliness, or despair.

5 Reasons Why Affirmations Are Not Working for You

Affirmations are powerful. Positive statements about yourself impact your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. They help provide motivation for personal goals and can help improve overall well-being.

Building Youth Confidence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with this year's theme focused on Heal, Hold & Center.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with this year's theme focused on Heal, Hold & Center.
Suicide Awareness

The Impact of Suicide. Your Words Matter.

Suicide is more common than we’d want to admit. Suffering is part of the human experience, and there are a lot of heavy stressors that weigh people down.

Supporting Teacher’s Well-being

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

6 Things to Consider in Supporting Children’s Adjustment to Change

Change can be difficult, especially for children when their need for safety and stability is uncertain. Establishing consistent and predictable routines helps children feel secure.

Because, College is Hard!

The transition to college can be exciting, but also difficult. You may be leaving the comforts of home and sharing space with others for the first time while managing stressors associated with college life.
Inc.5000 Award

INC 5000 Award

CARE Counseling makes the Inc. 5000 list for fastest growing private companies for three years in a row!

MSP Magazine News Feature

CARE Counseling was featured in an article on “Mental Health: Hurdles to Help,” by Lindsey Scharold with Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.

Life Satisfaction: 7 Things to Nurture Emotional Well-Being

“The best predictor for adult life satisfaction is subjective well-being and emotional health during childhood” according to the World Happiness Report. Less than half (47%) of Americans report being “very satisfied” with their own lives.

CARE Counseling Announces New Doctoral Internship

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

Bracing Yourself for Change: Flexible Vs. Blinded Optimism

Change is stressful, and there will be going to be challenges and these will be temporary; however, this is also an opportunity to utilize your strengths and access the internal and external resources that are available.

Suicide Prevention for Co-Workers: 5 Action Steps

The death of a co-worker can come as an unexpected shock, especially when they have died by suicide. If you are aware that a colleague is struggling, you can make a significant impact in helping them get the care they need.

Clinicians Info

clinicians-info

Customized Meditations for You

What comes to mind when you hear the word meditation? Stereotypes hold some people back from mindfulness practice. That is unfortunate. It is important to dispel the myths and understand the things people get wrong about mindfulness.

Going from Good to Great When You Are Not OK

How often do you get asked, “How are you?” and the polite go-to response is “I’m fine” or “good” thank you. How are you? These phrases are common greetings in the United States but seem to lack much depth.

The Client-Therapist Relationship: Transactional or Relational?

There is a transactional element that is present in receiving therapeutic services; however, a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to the success of therapy.
Summer health tips- blue sky with hands in yoga pose

6 Summer Health Tips to Feel Amazing This Summer

Making lifestyle changes has a significant impact on mental health and well-being. When you take care of your body and engage in safe and enjoyable activities, it has a direct impact on how you think and feel about yourself.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Meditation helps one become more present, utilizing the practice of being mindful. Perhaps you already have a basic understanding of meditation

Emotional Intelligence for Families

Self-awareness is a key skill of emotional intelligence. One way to build self-awareness early within a child’s life is to build their feelings vocabulary.

CARE COUNSELING IS A 2024 TOP WORKPLACE

CARE Counseling has been recognized in the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces for the third year in a row!  In 2024, CARE was named on the National Standard Setters list.

Men’s Mental Health Month

CARE Counseling was featured in an interview on the “Stigma still surrounds mental health issues in men,” with Laker Pioneer press.