Conscious or not, we are making choices every moment of our lives. Truth is, not making a choice, is a choice. As a result of this pandemic, additional decision making has been forced upon us. While the impacts of COVID-19 are in the forefront for many of us, our response to change, discomfort, fear, anger, [...]
Telehealth is the use of electronic methods of communication (video, phone, etc.) to support distance health care. In other words, you don’t have to come to the office to get the services you need. This is an excellent way to stay connected with your therapist/dietitian while staying in the comfort of your own home. Given [...]
Are you currently learning DBT or have you in the past? If so, you may have had the thought "I wish my partner knew some of this stuff" or "it would be so much easier if we (ie - parent, friend, spouse, etc.) were speaking the same language". One of the first things that happens [...]
Taking time for oneself is such a critical part of overall well-being. And, for many of us, it falls to the back burner for many reasons; not enough time, tending to the needs of others, core beliefs that it is selfish or that you don’t deserve care, judgment from others, etc. Truth be told, the [...]
How often do you compare yourself to others? How much do you truly know about the person you are comparing yourself to? Comparison can actually be a helpful skill and, in fact, it's one we teach in DBT. Before I talk about the benefits of comparison, let's talk about the pitfalls. Looking on to another person and/or [...]
As we embrace a new year there's often a focus on resolutions, goals, and change; all of which have purpose. The concept often neglected during this time of year is that of acceptance. Sometimes we want things to be different so badly that we "white-knuckle" new behaviors, only to slip back into our old habits. [...]
As we approach the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday there is an increasing focus on the concept of gratitude. Gratitude, which rhymes with "attitude," comes from the Latin word gratus, which means "thankful, pleasing." If you struggle with the concept of gratitude, you are not alone. Commonly, people say "how can I be grateful when I am [...]
When conflict happens, it is natural to want to point the finger at the other party emphasizing what “they” need to change. Perhaps blaming is a defense mechanism or simply an easy way out. No matter how we label it, this strategy seems to be ineffective in making sustainable change in our personal lives and [...]
“A real sign of progress is when we no longer punish ourselves for our imperfections” - Yung Pueblo Imperfection is a part of the human condition. In some cultures, a damaged or broken item is viewed as more precious than it was in its pristine form. So, if this is the case, then why do [...]
How do you want to live your life? What a powerful question and one that is likely very challenging to answer. Consider this poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer called “The Invitation”. I remember reading this for the first time about ten years ago and I continue to come back to it at different times throughout [...]