It’s hard to be active and depressed at the same time. It’s hard to be inactive and physically healthy at the same time. And it’s hard to be enthusiastic without having active interests. In these times, it is easier than ever to be sedentary. A person can almost literally grow old before viewing all of…
There are lots of emotionally unhealthy habits that can be acquired during the process of growing up. Included among them is that habit of blaming oneself for every bad outcome that happens in one’s family or environment. This is often the result of being unfairly blamed by family members or peers or teachers who were…
The term, “Comfort Zone,” refers to that psychological space in which a person functions with a minimal level of anxiety. It can be applied to various situations including family, job, social life, and recreational pursuits. All of us like to operate within a comfort zone a large percentage of the time. We don’t choose a…
It has been gratifying to hear from many of you who have been able to use the concepts of Positive Psychology and Goal-Achieving Psychotherapy to achieve a more positive self-image and to use your increased confidence to accomplish things that had previously been unfulfilled dreams. Once you have established yourself as a priority and have…
A recent podcast that seemed to strike a very positive chord, based upon the feedback that I’ve received from several of you, was entitled, “Take Yourself Back to You”. This blog expands upon some of those ideas. It has been told that after Michelangelo finished sculpting his world famous statue of the David, he was…
There seems to be an epidemic of low self-esteem, and it’s not just limited to those who haven’t been very successful. In my work with patients, I have come across too many bright, attractive, and accomplished individuals whose self-image is in the toilet. How does that happen? The short answer is that so much of…
A woman prepares for an interview for a job that she really wants. She’s read up on the company and the job requirements. She leaves the house confident and dressed for success. As she gets closer to the interview site, however, she begins to question herself. Should she have worn a longer skirt or maybe…
Psychology is a gratifying profession. Helping people to change is an awesome responsibility but it is also rewarding. I’ve been fortunate to have almost always worked with competent and motivated people. Working with that type of population is energizing and fun. It’s also energizing and fun to be able to share ideas on this website. …
It is fashionable to make New Year’s resolutions during this season. In fact, my December podcast addresses the issue of making them from a position of strength to enhance the likelihood that you will keep them. Today, however, I’d like to look at the other side of the coin. Letting go is an approach…
The holiday season serves as a mental health test for many people. It’s a time of the year that can be fun and exciting, with opportunities to renew friendships and strengthen family ties. Yet some find the holiday season to be stressful and depressing. Because so many people share good times around the holidays,…
There is very little of a positive note that has come out of the recent revelations of child sexual abuse by a former assistant football coach at Penn State. It is a tragedy that will undoubtedly leave the victims with emotional scars for the rest of their lives. Those victims, and indeed all victims of…