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
Therapeutic Benefits of Creativity
Introduction In a world that often feels chaotic and demanding, it is common to seek solace and respite from the stresses of daily life. For many, a highly relieving factor lies in creativity. Engaging in creative endeavors, through any form of self expression, can be profoundly healing. This blog post delves into the ways inContinue reading Therapeutic Benefits of Creativity
Insomnia: Coping with Sleep Troubles
It’s late, and you can’t seem to fall asleep. Your mind doesn’t want to quiet, and one of the thoughts that you’re having on repeat is that you’re not going to get enough sleep, even if you were to fall asleep at this moment. Or it’s 4am, and you woke up from a dream orContinue reading Insomnia: Coping with Sleep Troubles
Coping With Social Anxiety
What Is Social Anxiety? Do you get anxious when you have to give a talk? How about before work meetings or parties or other types of events? Do you notice apprehension, worry, or even dread? How about the physical manifestations of anxiety, such as a sweating, an increased heart rate, or stomach trouble? If theseContinue reading Coping With Social Anxiety
Impostor Syndrome
Are you an impostor? You’ve accomplished a decent amount in your life. You’ve succeeded professionally. You’ve contributed something to others. You’ve realized a number of your goals. Maybe, you’ve even received accolades from those around you. But, you have a sinking feeling that you’re fooling everyone. You believe that if people knew the truth, theyContinue reading Impostor Syndrome
Health Anxiety: Managing Worry About Your Health
Health Anxiety in Action: Ming is a 28-year-old woman who is afraid of air travel. She once read about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) resulting from long flight times and, after that, became significantly anxious when flying for work or to see her family. She’s worried that, on a long flight, she could develop a clot.Continue reading Health Anxiety: Managing Worry About Your Health
What-If Thinking and Anxiety
A while back, I ended up at an IHOP with my kids for our Second Breakfast. It was pouring rain, and the restaurant’s parking lot was full. After circling a couple of times, I ventured over to the lot next door, a tiny strip mall with plenty of open spots, as none of those stores wereContinue reading What-If Thinking and Anxiety
Coping with Grief
Love sorrow. She is yours now, and you must take care of what has been given. -Mary Oliver In the midst of loss, life can feel unbearable. Whether it’s the death of a family member, friend, or beloved pet; or the loss of a relationship, job, or dream; grieving the death, end, or closure toContinue reading Coping with Grief
Radical Acceptance: Reducing Suffering on Your Own Terms
The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I have a confession. I dislike the phrase “It is what it is.” It seems reductive and invalidating. So, it might come as a surprise that I love the DBT skill, radical acceptance, which essentially embraces theContinue reading Radical Acceptance: Reducing Suffering on Your Own Terms
Legal Drinking
Do Lawyers Drink More than Other Professionals? Over the course of 15 years of working with individuals who struggle with alcohol use disorders, I’ve heard plenty of stories of attorneys entertaining clients for hours on end, of bottles of hard liquor tucked away into desk drawers at the firm, and work cultures that normalize excessiveContinue reading Legal Drinking
