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Childhood Trauma Left Me Feeling Worthless and Depressed January 23, 2015 . 13 Comments
Thank you for your question. Boy, oh boy were you put through the wringer. My heart ached to read of your experiences. I suppose the short version of my answer would be to see a therapist ... Read More
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Accentuate the Positive: A Guide to Increasing Self-Esteem January 15, 2015 . 12 Comments
A person voiced the following as the topic of self-esteem came up during a recent therapy session, this time in reference to the holidays: “Not another dinner with my family. … ... Read More
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Feeling Unworthy or Undeserving? Let’s Undo That July 28, 2014 . 20 Comments
Being deserving means having an expectation of goodness in your life. It is the goodness of people, relationships, and situations that we all want and deserve in our lifetime. We are all ... Read More
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Not Necessarily Narcissism: Self-Love for Building Confidence May 22, 2014 . 7 Comments
The two greatest days of my life took place in August, eight years apart. One was in 1998, when my eldest daughter, Gabriela, was born. The second happened in 2006, when I gave birth to ... Read More
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To Thine Own Self Be Kind: 8 Random Acts of Self-Kindness March 15, 2014 . 9 Comments
The world can be a cold and cruel place, and as such, every display of warmth and goodness makes a difference. Performing random acts of kindness for those around you—such as opening ... Read More
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The Devaluation of the Person in Therapy January 15, 2014 . 6 Comments
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series exploring why use of the term “patient” is harmful in the context of psychotherapy. For an introduction on the topic, click here. The ... Read More
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Inner Work: Reconnecting with the Soul’s Purpose December 18, 2013 . 4 Comments
We all have many wounds. Broken hearts, shattered dreams, abuse, and trauma all leave battle scars that may not be outwardly apparent to others, but can cause a lifetime or even generations ... Read More
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Why Am I So Bitter and Resentful of Other People’s Successes? November 1, 2013 . 26 Comments
First, let me say that I admire your candor, your self-awareness, and your desire to work on this issue. I believe that all of these things will ultimately make you successful in addressing ... Read More
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When Failure Takes Over March 12, 2013 . 4 Comments
Sometimes people who have a tendency to be depressed get “triggered” and begin what I call “creating a case against themselves.” Failing at something can be one of those triggers, ... Read More
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Negative Self-Beliefs: Are You a ‘Beaten Dog’? February 27, 2013 . 9 Comments
Are you a “beaten dog”? Rest assured, I’m not calling anyone names here. But have you been kicked around, treated like nothing, and hurt? Do you not feel loved unless you are treated ... Read More
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What It’s Like Inside a Depressed Person’s Head January 10, 2013 . 486 Comments
While not everyone’s experience is the same, when people have a major depressive episode, generally the world looks, feels, and is understood completely differently than before and after ... Read More
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Chronic Illness and Disability: Coping with Anxiety and Other Emotions December 19, 2012 . 3 Comments
Living with a chronic illness or disability often creates uncertainty and a lack of predictability. While most of us enjoy autonomy and independence, we also rely on a certain amount of ... Read More