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It Needs to Happen, but the Idea of Creating a Will Makes Me Anxious
Dear GoodTherapy.org, I’ve managed to get to age 66 without writing a will. The thought has always terrified me, but now it’s more real than ever. As my kids start (gently) pressuring ... Read More
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Dissociation and C-PTSD: The Role of Detachment in Complex Trauma
Dissociation was first described more than a century ago. It was not until more recently, though, that the concept became a standard part of the psychological lexicon. For many people, ... Read More
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Keeping Faith: Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Spirituality
Many of us are raised to follow a particular religion, and many of those religions have some negative messages about sexual and gender diversity. These early religious messages can have ... Read More
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Look to the Future: How Attachment Affects Our Ability to Plan Ahead
Everyone has some sense of their future, and the way that sense is experienced may have an impact on whether a person is successful or not. Does your future feel threatening or promising? ... Read More
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How to Recognize and Reconnect with Split-Off Parts of Yourself
Some of the most powerful work I have seen accomplished in therapy involves a person reclaiming parts of themselves that they have disowned. Splitting off parts of ourselves, specifically ... Read More
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Help! I’m Having Second Thoughts About Quitting My Job
Dear GoodTherapy.org, I left my job about two months ago, run-down and on the brink of something drastic because of how miserable I was. It was an extremely high-stress job in finance, ... Read More
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How Perseverance and Resilience Relate to the Window of Tolerance
In my work, I’ve found certain frameworks to be helpful for understanding and perceiving our sense of balance and wellness. To illustrate this, let’s consider the following two ... Read More
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How Gendered Marketing, Sexism Can Impact Halloween Costume Choices
When I was 13 years old, I was a huge fan of “I Dream of Jeannie,” a show from the 1960s about a female genie who lives with her male “master” in his suburban home in the United ... Read More
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Intention Isn’t Everything: 7 Ways to Inadvertently Invalidate Feelings
Many of us are aware of the importance of validating other people’s feelings. We know recognizing and acknowledging feelings helps others to feel understood, valued, cared about, and ... Read More
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Where Do You Fall on the Spectrum of Alcohol Use?
Not everyone who drinks alcohol has a drinking problem. Most people fall on a continuum of alcohol use throughout their lives. An increase in alcohol use and problems associated with it ... Read More
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Emotional Connection: The Secret to Lasting Love
Emotional connection, a bond that holds partners together in a relationship, is one of the most important strengths for couples to have. Without a strong emotional connection, relationships ... Read More
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Your Children Can’t Give Back the Trust You’ve Lost in Them
In my office, I hear angry parents snap in frustration at their kids. “You broke my trust!” “You have to earn my trust back!” “You’ve got to rebuild my trust!” These parents ... Read More