The thoughts we have about ourselves, or how we define ourselves, contribute to our self-image. The feelings we have about these thoughts, whether these feelings are good or bad, are the building blocks of our self-esteem. Our self-image, and gradually our self-esteem, can be molded by our parents, family, friends, physical or intellectual abilities, education, and jobs. Just as we have … Read more
The Nature of Forgiveness Forgiveness is not a way of forgetting the past. Indeed, if we have been harmed, we should not forget it. We can learn from the past about how to avoid being harmed in the future. Nor is forgiveness a way of exonerating the perpetrator. When we forgive, we are not sacrificing … Read more
Body image refers to your personal relationship with your body. This includes all of the beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and perceptions you have about your body. It does not refer to what your body actually looks like. Our body is one of many aspects of who we are, but for many of us it is the dominating source of our sense … Read more
Why do people seek help from a psychotherapist? Psychotherapy helps people in many ways. For some, it is a way to understand themselves better. For others, it helps to find meaning in their lives. Some have a definite problem they want to address (like, “Is my job right for me?), while others have a specific … Read more
A chronic illness is one that persists over time without an easily definable beginning, middle and end. While the suffering that accompanies a chronic illness can usually be alleviated to some extent, the illness itself is usually not curable. Often, society feels more comfortable in dealing with acute illnesses that can be treated and cured. This is easy to understand when we … Read more
A Successful Relationship Takes Work, Insight, and Commitment – and the Rewards Can Be Priceless One hallmark of success in life may be the ability to sustain a lasting relationship. People in lasting relationships tend to live longer and stay healthier. They report more happiness in life, more rewarding social interactions, and lower instances … Read more