Flexible Perspective Taking: A Path to Self-Compassion and Effective Action In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we often find ourselves caught up in our thoughts and emotions. We react impulsively, driven by old patterns and judgments. But what if there was a way to step back, see things from a different angle, and [...]
Breaking Free: Understanding Our Recurrent Thought Patterns In the intricate landscape of our minds, we all harbor recurrent patterns of thought and emotion. These patterns, often deemed 'problematic', have a knack for dominating our actions and steering us away from behaviors aligned with our values. They weave themselves around key themes like abandonment, rejection, failure, [...]
Introduction Imagine waking up after a restless night—the world feels like a foggy kaleidoscope, and your brain is running on low battery. Sound familiar? Well, let’s dive into the science behind this groggy mental state and explore how blood sugar plays a starring role. Why Does Blood Glucose Rise After Poor Sleep? When you skimp [...]
As a seasoned cognitive-behavioral therapist, I often find myself asked how I handle challenging thoughts and emotions. You might expect that after dedicating years to helping others, I'd be a picture of mental fortitude, effortlessly surmounting life's obstacles. However, the truth is far from that perception. Despite my expertise, I still grapple with my inner [...]
The Power of Assertiveness: Setting Boundaries for a Balanced Life As an ACT therapist, I often witness the transformative impact of assertiveness in helping individuals navigate life's challenges and cultivate healthier relationships. Assertiveness is more than just standing up for oneself; it's about communicating needs and boundaries effectively while respecting the rights of others. Let's [...]
Unveiling the Dark Side: The Role of Dopamine in Unhealthy Behaviors As an ACT therapist, it's essential to explore the intricate relationship between neurochemistry and behavior, shedding light on both the positive and negative impacts of neurotransmitters like dopamine. While dopamine is often celebrated as the "drive neurochemical," fueling our motivation and perseverance, it also [...]
Exploring the Intersection: ACT Therapy and Buddhist Philosophy In the world of therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) stands out as a Western approach rooted in psychological research and theory. However, upon closer examination, one can uncover striking parallels between ACT and the principles of Buddhist philosophy. Let's delve into these shared elements and how [...]
Healing Invisible Wounds: ACT Therapy and Trauma Resulting from Childhood Emotional Neglect Understanding Childhood Emotional Needs: As children, we rely on our parents to meet not only our physical needs but also our emotional needs. These emotional needs are just as crucial for our well-being as food, water, and shelter. Among these needs are three [...]
Breaking the Cycle of Trauma: Embracing Recovery and Resilience Understanding Trauma: Trauma can take many forms, from childhood neglect or abuse to witnessing or experiencing violence, accidents, natural disasters, and even war or terror attacks. These experiences can deeply wound us, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world around us. They can leave [...]
Authenticity vs. Attachment in Trauma and Mental Health The Inner Struggle: Authenticity vs. Connection Have you ever felt torn between being true to yourself and fitting in with others? It's a common struggle that many of us face, and it can have a big impact on our mental health. Understanding the Pleasing Strategy Let's break [...]
