“I-don’t-trust-people”. When I hear this statement in therapy, oftentimes there are ruptures in relationships. Maybe you have been let down multiple times, feeling emotional or physical abandonment. Maybe no one has been there to show up consistently to support you when you needed them most so now you depend on yourself (and trust no one).
Adversity is inevitable. The need to be loved is a part of the-human-condition, but there are also negative aspects of being human such pain and suffering. Seasons change, and so do people and their environments. Physical changes, developmental changes, transitions, and new phases of life.
A new baby brings a lot of change. While change can be fun and exciting, it can also feel overwhelming. Arrival of a baby can trigger feelings of doubt as a parent and fear of being able to provide for the baby’s needs.
Family and friends may be become quite involved in one’s rituals. When an individual is confronted on their behaviors, the range of experiences can include anxiety, panic attacks, disgust, and feelings of unsettledness. The time spent on compulsions are time consuming or cause significant distress. Avoidance of situations, disruption or delay of plans, and distress within relationships are a few examples.
With anxiety disorders being the most common mental illness, impacting approximately 18% of the adult population each year, psychotherapy “talk therapy” can be an effective treatment.
A key point from last week is that oftentimes, we wait to feel motivated before we act. But, if we instead substitute other skills for motivation, we can often bypass the need to feel motivated and jump right into doing. This week’s motivational “bypasser” is outcome.
National Eating Disorders awareness week aims to educate about the realities of eating disorders. #SeeTheChange
Self-esteem, self-worth, self-love, and self-confidence—these are all areas that are impacted by the messages that we receive from others [and ourselves]. These are also common areas that individuals seek to work on in therapy.
Most people come to therapy with identified presenting concerns; however, they may not be sure what their specific goals are. That is OK! Your therapist can help summarize that main theme of things that you share and then offer a framework for specific, measurable goals. A process goal and a coping goal is a great place to start if you are struggling with where to begin.
No one is immune to experiencing stress, trauma, or other challenging situations that shakes our foundation of safety and security. Reflecting on the last year, many have experienced serious medical and mental health problems or have been impacted by conditions affecting loved ones. Stressors affecting finances and relationships have been prevalent. Suffering is inevitable as it is part of the human condition. Yet during times suffering, there can also be tremendous growth through healing and rebuilding.
