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 [...]
From Surviving to Thriving: Nurturing Growth After Trauma Introduction: Dealing with tough times isn't easy, especially when you've been through something really traumatic. We're going to talk about how you can move forward and grow stronger, looking at it from a way of thinking called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This isn't about promising quick [...]
Soulful Support: The Emotional Resonance of Standing Beside Trauma Survivors Introduction: In the circle of support for trauma survivors, there exists a group often unseen—the friends and family who bear witness to the struggles of their loved ones. This exploration delves into the world of secondary trauma, offering insights and encouragement from the perspective of [...]
Feeling Like an Outsider: Navigating the Silence Within with ACT In the world of social connections, it's not uncommon to feel like an outsider, listening to the whispers of thoughts like "I have nothing to say" or "What I have to share isn't interesting or important." These sentiments often walk hand-in-hand with the outsider feeling, [...]
