Introduction: In the intricate landscape of mental health, psychotherapy emerges not only as a dialogue between minds but as a transformative force that leaves imprints on the very fabric of the brain. The question of how psychotherapy changes the brain is a fascinating journey into the study of neuroplasticity—a phenomenon that underscores the remarkable adaptability …
For many of us, growing up in a household where feelings were not talked about at all, is a relatable experience. While it is unfortunate that talking about feelings is an often overlooked life skill, the upside is that it is possible to learn this skill at any point in one’s life. When talking with …
Are you feeling “stuck” right now? Not sure what to do or where to go? Feeling like everything happening around you is going against you? Feeling overwhelmed? Lots of dynamics and a variety of feelings can be at play when people find themselves feeling “stuck.” Some common underlying themes will be explored below. Fear When …
Do you know the difference between self-comfort and self-care? Are you wondering if what you have been identifying as “self-care” may actually be harming you? Read below to learn more. Self-comfort Self-comfort can be thought of as turning to something in a non-conscious manner, where we may be seeking to numb ourselves out, “veg out,” …
The title of this article is a question that bewilders many. By introducing the following structure, I hope to bring clarity to this question and suggest a simple structure that makes the steps to processing feelings more explicit. A step-wise approach can be taken as summarized below and each step will be explored in more …
Stress is an ongoing reality of life. With prolonged exposure to high stress states however, we can become progressively less aware of the true extent to which stress is affecting our health; whether mentally, physically, emotionally, or otherwise. A Simple Analogy for Stress and Impaired Awareness One way I often illustrate the subtle way in …
Meditation is hard! It doesn’t work for me! I can’t meditate! Meditation is IMPOSSIBLE! -EVERYONE, AT SOME POINT Does any of the above sound familiar to you? In this post, I will address a lot of the common misconceptions around meditation that can be a source of a lot of unnecessary frustration for many people. …
A simple question, without a simple answer. The most important factor Consistently, research has demonstrated that the single most important factor in determining treatment success with any psychotherapeutic approach, is the quality of the therapeutic alliance. This term represents the collaborative relationship between a patient and their therapist in supporting the patient through their journey …
If you’ve ever wondered how doctors are trained to diagnose and treat patients presenting with mental health concerns, keep reading below. I’ll start by introducing the general framework for how doctors are trained to talk with patients and then include more specific examples relating to mental health assessment. How doctors are trained to talk to …