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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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....
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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...
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