Regret Is Like Cauliflower: The Emotion We Avoid but Need

If there were a list of emotions people most want to avoid, regret would be near the top. It feels heavy, pointless, or even shameful—like admitting failure or weakness. But regret, much like cauliflower, has been unfairly judged....

Read More

When You Didn’t Do Your Best (and Why That Still Counts)

Imagine you finish the round of golf, the run, the practice, and nothing went particularly well. You weren’t terrible, but you weren’t sharp either. The shots didn’t land. Your pace felt off. You left thinking, I should be better than this by now...

Read More

You Don't Have to Perform for Your Family This Holiday Season

For many people, the holidays aren't just about food, travel, or catching up. They're about stepping back into roles we learned long ago-roles we didn't necessarily choose. Maybe you're the one who's supposed to be "doing great," the one who keeps the peace, the one who never says no, or the one who stays quiet so things don't get tense....

Read More

When Gratitude Feels Forced: A Therapist's Take on Toxic Positivity

Gratitude is good for us-most of the time. But especially around the holidays, gratitude can become something else: pressured, polished, and performative. Many people feel the expectation to "be thankful," even when their body and emotions say something entirely different. As a therapist, I often see how forced gratitude drifts into toxic positivity-the belief that we should feel good no matter what. But...

Read More

When Women and Men Do Their Work: Empathy and Courage Can Be Seen

Many men say they want to be more emotionally open- and when they try, it doesn't always go well. They risk a moment of honesty, only to see their vulnerability land with discomfort, confusion, or even withdrawal from the person they most hoped would understand. That moment-when one person reaches out and the other flinches-is often not about a lack...

Read More

Therapy Isn't Just for Crisis: How It Supports Personal Growth

Many people first reach out for therapy when something feels unbearable—a relationship breaks down, work becomes unmanageable, or anxiety makes it hard to focus. In those moments, therapy can be a lifeline. But what many men don't realize is that therapy doesn't have to stop when the crisis does. In fact, some of the most meaningful work begins once the...

Read More

Grounded Strength: How to Listen to What Your Body's Telling You

Most of us grow up hearing that strength means staying in control. Keep it together. Don't let them see you sweat. Push through. And yet, when life hits hard - when you feel anxious, disconnected, or weighed down - your body often knows it before your mind can catch up. The tightness in your chest, the clenched jaw, the restless...

Read More

Why Your Emotions Feel Stuck: The 90-Second Rule and the Weight of Self-Judgment

You've probably noticed this before: something hits you hard - anger, sadness, fear - and it lingers for hours. Sometimes all day. Other times, it sneaks back in days later when you thought you were past it. Emotions can feel relentless, unpredictable, and stronger than you'd like them to be. But here's the truth: emotions themselves are actually short-lived. Neuroscientist...

Read More

Why You Might Be Numb Instead of Angry (and What That Really Means)

You might not think of yourself as angry. You just shut down. You go quiet, go inside, try to keep the peace-or stay out of the mess altogether. From the outside, it probably looks like you're calm and composed. But inside, it might feel like the lights have dimmed. You're not mad, exactly… you just don't feel much of anything. If that...

Read More

Is Self-Criticism Helping You—or Hurting You?

Many men and women believe that being hard on themselves is what drives them to succeed. You may even hear that “tough love” is the only way to grow. But what if your inner critic is doing more harm than good? As a therapist who works often with men facing negative self-talk, I see how self-criticism can become a constant...

Read More

Recognizing Your Core Values-and Living by Them

Life can have us feel scattered, reactive, or stuck on autopilot. In those moments, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. One of the most powerful ways therapy can help is by reconnecting you to your core values-the deep beliefs that give your life meaning and direction. As Susan David, author of Emotional Agility, writes: "Values are the compass that keeps...

Read More

How to Identify and Challenge Negative Core Beliefs (Schemas)

We all carry deep-seated beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. Some are helpful, giving us confidence or safety. Others—often formed early in life—can quietly shape how we think, feel, and act in ways that keep us stuck. In therapy, these are called schemas or core beliefs. Schemas are like mental shortcuts. They help us organize experiences, but when they're rooted in painful...

Read More

High-Functioning Anxiety: What It Looks Like and How Therapy Helps

High-functioning anxiety can be hard to spot from the outside. People who live with it often look like they're thriving. They are the ones who get things done, keep everything organized, and often appear calm and competent in their lives. But beneath the surface, there's often a very different story unfolding. For many professionals-especially men who feel pressure to perform...

Read More

Is Exploring Your Past Just Blaming Your Parents? A Therapist's Take

For many people-especially high-achieving professionals-the idea of looking back at childhood brings up mixed feelings. You might worry it's about pointing fingers, blaming your parents, or dredging up old stories that no longer matter. Maybe you've even told yourself, What's the point? I can't change the past. But here's the thing: therapy that explores your past isn't about blame-it's about understanding....

Read More

What Is Emotional Intelligence-And Why It Matters in Therapy

When most people think about intelligence, they picture IQ scores, logic, or problem-solving. But emotional intelligence-the ability to name, understand, and express your emotions effectively-can be just as important. Especially when it comes to your relationships, mental health, and personal growth. And if you're in therapy (or considering it), emotional intelligence is often the skill that turns insight into real change....

Read More

A Therapist Reflects on What It Means to ‘Man Up' in a Healthy Way

"Man up." It's a phrase loaded with meaning-one that most men have heard since childhood. Behind it is a cultural script about how men are supposed to handle life: be strong, be silent, handle it alone while being there for others. As a therapist who works with men, I've sat with many who have internalized this message so deeply that they no...

Read More

When Kindness Costs Too Much: Boundaries, Assertiveness, and the Caring Man

Some men are raised to be kind, supportive, and emotionally attuned. They're the ones who notice when others are uncomfortable, who pick up on tension in the room, who try to fix what feels broken in their relationships. At first glance, this might seem ideal-what partner wouldn't want someone emotionally aware and caring? But under the surface, these good traits...

Read More

From “Nice Guy” to Honest Partner: Why Avoiding Conflict Isn't the Same as Caring

You're the kind of guy who doesn't want to cause problems. You've probably been told you're thoughtful, a good listener, maybe even "the calm one" in the relationship. You try to keep things peaceful and avoid being a burden. You don't ask for much. But lately, something feels off. You feel disconnected. You're not sure how to bring it up...

Read More

Why So Many Men Feel Angry-And Still Alone

Anger gets a bad reputation. It's loud, explosive, sometimes destructive. But underneath the surface, anger is often a cover-a shield protecting more vulnerable emotions men rarely feel safe to name. As a therapist, I meet a lot of men who don't come in saying "I feel sad" or "I feel hurt." They say: "I'm angry all the time. I'm snapping...

Read More

What to do When Therapy Feels Stagnant

You've started therapy, and even though your therapist told you that change happens slowly, you're wondering when you're actually going to feel better. Maybe things were improving for a time, and your sessions felt cathartic, and you developed new insights. Perhaps your progress led to a place where your issues feel stable, but now your sessions are boring, and you...

Read More

Dry January and your Mental Health

Dry January is a popular tradition among some drinkers, and its health benefits are numerous and unsurprising. Few drinkers are unaware that alcohol is “bad for you”. It's widely publicized that the substance interferes with sleep, causes weight gain, has carcinogenic properties, and carries a risk of dependency for some who partake. Enter Dry January: a self-imposed challenge to not...

Read More

Resolutions and Personal Growth

Self-efficacy is a concept in psychology defined as the belief that one is able to make the changes necessary to be successful in producing certain desired results. It's a representation of confidence in one's ability to move toward one's goals and create positive change. It also reflects a positive relationship with self, and knowledge that you are someone that you...

Read More

Healing from Trauma with EMDR Therapy: What to Expect and How It Helps

Why EMDR Isn't Just for Trauma Survivors You might not think of yourself as someone with "trauma." Maybe you've never been to war, survived a major accident, or experienced violence. But you can still carry emotional injuries that shape how you respond to life - how you react in relationships, how you handle pressure, how quickly you shut down when...

Read More

Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships: A Therapist's Guide to Healing and Connection

Attachment Therapy for Real-Life Relationships You might find yourself pulling away when someone gets too close, or becoming anxious when they don't respond the way you hoped - feeling less secure in the relationship. These patterns didn't come out of nowhere. They often trace back to the way we first learned to connect, protect ourselves, and get our needs met....

Read More

Empowering Men: Strategies for Building and Sustaining Self Confidence

Self-confidence is the cornerstone of personal growth and success, yet many men struggle to cultivate and maintain it. If you're finding it hard to feel self-assured, keep reading to discover our top strategies to help build and sustain self-confidence. Set Achievable Goals You'll want to start by setting small, achievable goals that align with your values and aspirations. Celebrate each...

Read More

Cultivating Confidence: Practical Tips for Men's Self-Esteem Improvement

Confidence is a mindset that empowers us to navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace. For men, cultivating confidence can often feel like a daunting task in a society that places immense pressure on traditional notions of masculinity. However, with the right mindset and strategies, improving self-esteem becomes an achievable goal. Here are some practical tips to help men cultivate...

Read More

Part II: Inner Coach

Part 2: Strategies for Effective Self-Coaching Continuing the journey of self-coaching, let's delve into practical strategies. Set Realistic Goals: Just like a sports team sets achievable goals for each game, establish realistic objectives for yourself. Break them down into smaller tasks and celebrate incremental victories. Learn from Setbacks: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts once remarked, "Adversity introduces a man to himself." View...

Read More

Growth Mindset & Success: How Men Can Thrive Personally & Professionally

In the journey toward personal and professional success, mindset plays a pivotal role. A growth mindset, characterized by the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and effort, empowers men to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Keep reading to find out how you can harness the proper mindset to facilitate progress and prosperity. Cultivating Resilience...

Read More

Inner Coach

Part 1: The Inner Coach - Nurturing Your Mental Health As a licensed mental health counselor, I frequently witness the transformative power for my clients of "self-coaching" for one's mental health. In the world of sports, coaches play a pivotal role in shaping athletes' performances and mental stamina. Similarly, you have the capacity to be your own inspiring coach, guiding yourself...

Read More

The Impact of Self-Esteem on Men's Mental Health & Relationships

At Resouling Therapy, we recognize the profound impact that a healthy or diminished sense of self-worth can have on various aspects of men's lives, and we're here to help you better understand the impact that self-esteem can have on yours. Navigating Mental Health Challenges Low self-esteem often contributes to mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression. Men may internalize...

Read More

Quieting Your Inner Critic: A Guide for A Path to Mental Wellness

As a mental health therapist dedicated to supporting individuals in their journey towards mental well-being, I often find that professional men face unique challenges- one of which is the relentlessness of their inner critic. Men can be reluctant to quiet their inner critic as they see it as a force for their success. This internal voice though, often fueled by...

Read More

Find Guidance Through Counseling & Prayer

When individuals are struggling, they often seek solace and guidance in several different forms. For many, prayer serves as a source of comfort, as it provides a connection to something far greater than what we can imagine. Whether you turn to prayer as a religious practice or a personal moment of reflection, it can be a sanctuary for finding strength...

Read More

Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Holidays

In a recent survey, the American Psychological Association found that 38% of people experienced increased stress during the holidays. Survey takers cited financial worry, busyness, and extended family time as contributors to this stress. Too much stress can lead to anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and even physical illness. Read on to discover how you can manage any increased stress to avoid strain on...

Read More

How Do I Start Being Resilient?

We’ve all heard phrases like “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. It can be easy for men to look at that and think they have to be “tough” to get through a challenging time. “Tough” isn’t exactly clear in the context of this idiom, and it’s a word that means different things to different people. Some people...

Read More

Four Areas to Incorporate Self-Care into Your Routine

Self-care is one of the most important contributors of our physical, mental, and emotional health. When we take time to nurture ourself physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, our whole self benefits. Read on for some light-weight ways to incorporate self-care. Physical Sleep, nutrition, and exercise hold great benefits for our mental health. Some studies have found that exercise is the...

Read More

How To Silence Your Inner Critic

Whether we are anxious, depressed, a perfectionist, or fortunately not, we all have an inner critic residing within us. For some, our inner critic talks all the time and so loud that other thoughts can’t be heard or considered. Here’s three strategies on how to silence your inner critic. 1) Remove the word “should” your inner critic tells you A...

Read More

5 Tips To Remember When Getting Started With Therapy

When looking for a therapist in NYC there are several things that can be helpful to remember. 1) Every Great Therapist Isn’t A Great Therapist For Everyone There’s a lot of therapists (I’m including counselors, social workers, and psychologists in this category) out there- especially is vast urban places like New York City. But they are not all a great...

Read More