What Is the Window of Tolerance? The window of tolerance is a psychological concept introduced by renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Dan Siegel. When in our window of tolerance, we can think and act clearly, responding to stressors and life’s demands with balance and control. Here, we feel present and engaged and can function mindfully and effectively.Continue reading Window of Tolerance
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
A Case of Chronic Pain Marina is a 30-year-old woman who played tennis on her high school team and continued to play recreationally until a lower back injury sidelined her from the courts. One day, she was lifting some boxes in preparation for a move and felt something give out. The pain was excruciating. AndContinue reading Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Mental Health Benefits of Mind-Body Practices
The Mind-Body Connection The relationship between the mind and the body is a fascinating and powerful one that deserves attention in the field of psychology. At the forefront of understanding and approaching this connection are the time-honored methods that utilize mental work and physical movement to increase overall well-being. Mind-body practices are activities that intentionallyContinue reading Mental Health Benefits of Mind-Body Practices
Improving Your Executive Functioning Skills
Do you struggle with time management? Have trouble with getting distracted? Procrastinate working on difficult tasks? Have difficulty finishing what you started? It’s possible that challenges with executive functioning might be to blame. What are executive functions? It’s helpful to think of them as the CEO of your brain, directing your behavior. Executive functions areContinue reading Improving Your Executive Functioning Skills
Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
Every year, September’s National Suicide Prevention Month gives us the opportunity to shine a light on an issue that touches countless lives. Suicide does not just affect one person; it impact families, friends, and entire communities. Even though this topic can feel heavy and we might want to avoid talking about it, this month servesContinue reading Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
GLP-1 Medications: Benefits and Costs
Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed an explosion in the use of GLP-1 agonist medications. According to a 2024 survey, 12% of Americans have tried a GLP-1, and this number is likely higher now and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Individuals seek GLP-1 medications for a variety of reasons. Often, theyContinue reading GLP-1 Medications: Benefits and Costs
Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More
Have you ever wondered why people who were exposed to extreme stress early in life tend to suffer from physical ailments more than the general population? The ACEs study, a large-scale research endeavor, showed that those who were subjected to childhood trauma were, as expected, significantly more likely to develop mental health symptoms, such asContinue reading Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More
Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
When we think of “toxic parenting,” our minds often go to more obvious offenses – various forms of abuse or neglect. And while these behaviors are undoubtedly toxic, harm can come from a variety of behaviors. Below are some specific actions that can cause emotional difficulties for our children. If you find any of theseContinue reading Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
Ecopsychology: Theory and Practice
Ecopsychology is a multidisciplinary field that explores the connection between human psychology and the natural environment. The study of ecopsychology emphasizes the benefits of engaging with nature, with research supporting both physiological and psychological benefits. As knowledge within this field continues to grow, we can see how ecopsychology can have a large impact on mentalContinue reading Ecopsychology: Theory and Practice
Extreme Hardship Waivers
Yìchén is a 33-year-old man from China who came to the U.S. four years ago. He studied English growing up and immigrated to the States to explore the benefits of living in a democracy. In addition to more autonomy, Yìchén found love. He met his wife, Li, soon after his arrival. Li is a UnitedContinue reading Extreme Hardship Waivers
“Fight Right” – Tips from the Gottman Approach
Conflict is an inevitable part of human relationships. How we fight predicts how our relationships flourish – or decay – over time. In Drs. John and Julie Gottman’s 2024 book, Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection the relationship experts weave decades of research and clinical practice into actionable steps we can takeContinue reading “Fight Right” – Tips from the Gottman Approach
Saying No With Confidence
If, like many of us, you were socialized to accommodate others, saying no can be an uncomfortable – even radical – act. But people-pleasing can lead to resentment and burnout and often interferes with us getting our own needs met. Like any other skill, learning how to say no is a practice we can developContinue reading Saying No With Confidence
