“I’m a perfectionist” – In a culture obsessed with appearance, performance, and productivity, it’s almost inevitable to fall into the trap of perfectionism. Our society tells you the way to be happy is to achieve your goals; earn more money, have a good body, find a romantic partner, get married, have children, buy a house, buy a car, get promoted… Your to-do list may feel like it’s endless. Most … [Read more...] about Perfectionism or Healthy Striving: What’s the Difference?
Anxiety
Why Does Feeling Happy Makes You Feel Vulnerable? Let’s Talk About Foreboding Joy
Foreboding joy is defined as a dress rehearsal for a tragedy. It is the “Holy crap!” moment that you experience when you realize that work is going well, your parents are doing okay, your children are happy, and you have a good relationship with your partner. Often the following thought is, “Something bad is going to happen”. Shame and vulnerability researcher Brené Brown says, “When we lose our … [Read more...] about Why Does Feeling Happy Makes You Feel Vulnerable? Let’s Talk About Foreboding Joy
Cognitive Distortions: The Motherhood Edition
Most of us have thoughts where we worry about the worst possible outcome, or we fixate on how we were perceived. We have thoughts that are skewed, disruptive, or just blatantly false. And then you become a mother and the anxious, negative thinking can feel like it’s nonstop. These negative thoughts are known as cognitive distortions and they can interfere in relationships, hold us back from … [Read more...] about Cognitive Distortions: The Motherhood Edition
New Year, Same Old Feeling: You May Have High Functioning Anxiety and Here is Why
2020 was a challenging year for many of us. This year, I worked with clients on depression, relationship issues, sexual dysfunctions, anxiety, parenting, and trauma. Due to the global pandemic, overall anxiety levels have increased as expected. What I was not expecting was how frequently high functioning anxiety came up in my therapy sessions this past year. What we clinically define as anxiety … [Read more...] about New Year, Same Old Feeling: You May Have High Functioning Anxiety and Here is Why
How Can You Prioritize Your Relationships and Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak?
Coronavirus, aka COVID-19, is causing a global concern. As a marriage and family therapist, I focus on your concerns at the personal and interpersonal level. Whether or not you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, your anxiety levels may increase during this outbreak. Fear and anxiety are expected responses in a situation like this. Every behavior has a function and your fear is … [Read more...] about How Can You Prioritize Your Relationships and Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak?
Managing Existential Anxiety in Today’s Stressful World
In the last several years I have more clients reporting anxiety over a myriad of national and global concerns (political upheaval, endless financial burden/stress, climate crisis, etc.). These concerns can often cause existential anxiety, leaving many to question the meaning and purpose of their life. Here are 5 suggestions about managing existential anxiety in our stressful world: Consider … [Read more...] about Managing Existential Anxiety in Today’s Stressful World
