Infidelity in Relationships and Recovery in Couples Therapy
Infidelity is probably one of the most painful and destabilizing events that can occur in a romantic relationship. It breaks trust, can lead to psychological trauma, emotional suffering, or even the onset of mental illness, and often raises questions about the future of the relationship. As a couples therapist, I’ve noticed that the meaning of […]
How to Deal with Shame
Shame is a debilitating feeling that takes over the mind and body. It can make you feel small and incomplete while building walls around you to keep out compassion. Despite wanting to be seen and known, shame causes people to hide behind masks instead. Healthy shame vs. toxic shame Shame is felt universally across countries […]
Finding a Culturally-Relevant Therapist
Long before I became a psychologist, the idea of Mental health as an Asian American was fraught with complexity. For many cultures, the very idea of admitting that we have mental struggles goes against every fiber of our being. The stigma of having a “mental illness” is something that is pathologized and shunned. Many suffer […]
Therapy Isn’t Something to Be Ashamed Of
As a therapist, as well as someone who goes to therapy, I can speak firsthand about the importance of attending therapy. Think of it this way: you are driving your car and suddenly you hear a funny noise. At first, you ignore it and hope it goes away. But over time, the noise starts to […]
What Are the End Goals of Therapy?
What Is the End Goal of Therapy? This is an important question to ask a therapist or to at least reflect on in your own time. Many of us come to therapy with immediate and acute goals—to manage anxiety, to have better focus, to feel less depressed. In many cases, some relief in therapy for […]
Culturally Competent Firearm Discussions in Therapy
By Sallie Mack, Ph.D., Danielle Currin, Ph.D., and Alban Foulser, Ph.D., on behalf of the Atlanta Behavioral Health Advocates As psychologists, we have an ethical duty to promote safety and prevent harm. Given that suicide attempts utilizing firearms are extremely lethal (Cai et al., 2022), we must address firearm safety with our clients. This process […]
Is Life Coaching a Good Alternative to Therapy?
Life coach, wellness coach, business coach, weight loss coach, breakup coach—the list goes on and on. All are different titles for similar jobs, with the same limitation: Anyone can claim to be an expert. Health “coaching” alone is a $7.6 billion market in the United States, linked to the wellness and lifestyle medicine industries, as […]
Nourishing Your Mind, Body, and Soul: The Importance of Self-Care for Emotional Wellness
Self-care is a crucial aspect of maintaining good emotional wellness. Taking time to prioritize your own needs and nourish your mind, body, and soul can help reduce stress, increase resilience, and promote overall well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of self-care for emotional wellness and provide practical tips and practices to […]