As the holiday season rolls around, it brings more than just decorations, delicious food, and gift exchanges—it offers a unique opportunity to deepen social connections. While the festivities may look different for everyone, the psychological need for connection remains universal. Understanding the psycho-educational basis of social connection during the holidays reveals why relationships play such…
Page 5 of 6
As the year draws to a close, it presents a natural opportunity for self-reflection, gratitude, and the setting of meaningful intentions for the year ahead. Engaging in mindful practices, such as gratitude journaling and self-reflective exercises, has been shown to enhance emotional well-being, foster resilience, and improve overall mental health (Emmons & Stern, 2013). This…
In this journal, I share with you a snippet of my work with Burt regarding an emotion that we, at times struggle to deal with. That is, anger. The vignette below was taken from our first psychotherapy session. I previously met him for the initial assessment where he expressed his goals. As you will notice, we delve…
The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with One Step: Understanding Lao Tzu’s Wisdom in Everyday Life Have you ever heard of the saying, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step?” This famous proverb written by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu has resonated for over 2,500 years. Found in the Dao…
Recently, I watched a documentary that left a profound impression on me, shedding light on Japan’s complex state of wellbeing. It painted a picture of “two worlds” within the country. On one side, in places like Tokyo, people are hustling and bustling, seemingly in a constant fight for survival, working long hours and pushing themselves…
When we cry—whether in sorrow, joy, or frustration—our bodies are doing more than just expressing emotion. Tears actually play a powerful biological role, helping us process feelings and manage stress. According to research, tears contain a mix of hormones, proteins, and natural pain relievers. For example, emotional tears, which are different from the kind that…
Zelda: I was hoping to talk a little bit about grief losing my dad. My partner and I went to visit his family this weekend, which brought up a lot of emotions. And just maybe the next couple months are usually pretty rough, which starts right about now. My birthday is next week; and then…
Academic Article: The Power of Small Shifts in Personal Growth Personal growth and development are often perceived as monumental tasks requiring significant effort and dramatic changes. However, much like the flight path of an airplane, a single adjustment can lead to substantial long-term changes. This is philosophy I call, 1° Shift. The concept of making…
We inevitably encounter painful experiences in life—breakups, humiliation, rejection, failure, and various stressors that challenge our mental and emotional well-being. These events can be understood as emotional or psychological pain, similar to the way physical injuries or diseases cause pain or discomfort to our bodies. Just as physical pain is a natural response to injury,…
The well-known expression “Is the glass half-empty or half-full?” is often used to gauge whether someone has a pessimistic or optimistic outlook. The half-empty perspective emphasizes what is missing, while the half-full view highlights what remains. Both perspectives seem to offer valid, yet opposing truths. However, framing the question as an either/or situation overlooks the…
Sidebar
About Me
