Hard work is not holy. Without a doubt, being able to work hard when you need to is a virtue. It definitely comes in handy in a variety of life situations. But working hard just because you can, or just because you feel the need to do something, isn’t necessarily a great thing. In fact,… CONTINUE
How to Avoid Resentment in Relationships
There are many issues that can lead to the demise of a relationship: lack of trust, money problems, infidelity, the list goes on. But one of the most common relationship killers is resentment — and this is often something we can control. Resentment is the bitter emotion that forms when we feel wronged, or… CONTINUE
Resisting Your Self-Defeating Impulses Through Dangerous Journaling
You can’t un-send that text. You can’t un-say those words. You can’t un-punch that wall. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. Sometimes emotional energy feels like it MUST BE expressed! Rage and resentment. Anxiety, fear, desperation. These feelings can be so intense they make your heart pound. They make your face twitch. This energy… CONTINUE
Saying Goodbye to Negative Thinking and Finding Joy in Movement
Has the word and meaning of exercise turned into a complicated set of emotions for you? To some, exercise may be a “chore” or a tireless fight. To others it is a great feeling of joy and reward. There is no question moving your body is important – but when can exercise become harmful and… CONTINUE
Understanding Suicide in Teens – Dallas Therapist Discusses Prosper High School Suicides
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for people ages 10-24 has increased 56% from 2007 to 2017 (Abbott, 2019). Additionally, suicide has become the 2nd leading cause of death for Americans aged 15 to 24 (Santhanam, 2019). Recently, the Highland Park ISD of Northern Dallas has exhibited the national… CONTINUE
What Can You Learn from Your Best (and Worst) Relationships?
I had a cat who compulsively pawed at her own shadow on the wall. Sometimes this habit seemed to entertain her. Sometimes it seemed to frighten her. The thing was, however frantically she pawed at that shadow, it pawed back just as frantically. My cat never seemed to figure out that the only way to… CONTINUE
Why Do People Choose the Wrong Romantic Partners?
“Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member.” When comedian Groucho Marx wrote this, he was expressing a peculiar, yet very common, human trait. A lot of individuals reflexively distrust people that truly appreciate them. As a therapist, I see this a lot… CONTINUE
Does Depression Make You Tired?
Persistent fatigue and low energy are among the most common symptoms associated with depression. When you’re depressed, certain brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine, primarily) are often out of balance. These brain chemicals regulate various things, including sleep, energy, focus and motivation levels. When these chemicals are off, sleep tends to suffer in one of two… CONTINUE
Signs of Depression in Men
How common is depression in men? According to the American Psychological Association, about 30% of men will experience an episode of depression in their lifetime. However, depression tends to effect men and women differently, and often goes undiagnosed in males. Whereas depressed women are more likely to report feelings of sadness and episodes of crying,… CONTINUE
How to Make the Most of Counseling and Therapy
If you are already in counseling, or you are considering working with a psychologist or therapist, four tips will help maximize your therapy process: 1. Take personal responsibility. On the one hand, counseling is a perfectly appropriate place to “vent” about your boss, your spouse, etc. On the other hand, you don’t want to get… CONTINUE