I sometimes ask my patients who are young adults their favorite memories about holidays over the years. Their recollections never include gift cards, luxury resorts, electronics, or expensive gifts. In…
General
Blog
5 Important Facts About Suicide
When I was completing my doctorate, the Clinical Director of my program committed suicide. For a bunch of psychologists committed to being healers, it was an incredibly painful experience. We…
depressionsuicide awareness
What is Winter Fatigue?
I enjoy receiving psychology/mental health questions on my website and social media. A couple of times a month, I write a post or article to respond to questions I feel…
Covid-19 Crisisstrategies for self-care
New office space in Fairfax County
We offer a library, workspace for kids, music, meditation area, walking path, dog friendly room, hypoallergenic room, and curated art gallery showing off the creativity of loved ones and clients.…
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How to get motivated when you’re not feeling it
Reasons for low motivation can include: Avoidance of discomfort. Sometimes a lack of motivation stems from a desire to avoid uncomfortable feelings. Discomfort could include feelings that a task is…
anxietydepressionstrategies for self-care
A mental health perspective on the season
Someone asked me today why I always say ‘Have a Peaceful Holiday’ in my writings. I don’t say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. The desire to wish sincerely for another…
Generalstrategies for self-care
14 Ways to Parent Yourself
* Be tender with your own heart. * Give yourself a curfew; don’t stay out too late. * Eat nourishing food. * Offer yourself praise. * Allow yourself lots of…
strategies for self-care
Worry, Optimism, and Performance
Some of my research on anxiety and performance is now available in France: angoisse (worry), anxiete, optimisme, pessimisme, et cognition. Across five data collection points, optimism was found to be…
General
Nine psychologically-minded animated shows for adults
At Embolden, everything is therapy. I recently asked some clients to speak about the childhood books and shows that were (are) most memorable and striking for them. Graphic novels and…
General
How to be Mean… to Yourself:
25 Ways to be Mean… to Yourself Not asking for help: school/work/personal. Carrying a negative narrative or origin story about yourself. Not keeping your word to yourself. Not trying something…
Generalstrategies for self-care
