It’s not manipulation, it’s skill — The idea of getting what you want gets a bad reputation. Some people worry it’s selfish to ask for what you need. The reality is, other people can’t read minds. We need to ask for things in order to get our needs met. It isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. It’s very…

The true definition of mental grit and what we can learn from it — It is July and the Tokyo Olympics are in full swing. Many of us wait with electric anticipation for this event every four years. There is something so special about this rare, historic international competition so many athletes dream of competing in. …

No woman is safe from internalized misogyny — A few years ago, I was talking with a couple about their newborn twins at a wedding. Inevitably, the female partner asked me when I was getting pregnant. I politely told her that it was not the right time for me. Despite my gentle explanations, she pried and pressured me…

An answer to the therapist mystery — Dear fellow human, Thank you for reading this letter. I know that to most people, therapists are mystery. Therapy involves one-way disclosure — which means that your therapist knows a lot about you, but you might not know much about your therapist. This can be really challenging when you’re bearing…

As much as we want to believe it’s gone, it isn’t — It’s May, and mental health awareness month has started. Every year I look forward to the social media programming: the people who share stories of recovery, those receiving support for their current struggles, and the community of providers on social media sharing amazing mental health content. I feel so much…

A few things that can make all the difference to get you through an anxious time — I’ve been in survival mode recently. Most people can relate to this feeling at some point in their lives. In times of crisis, we can feel so overwhelmed that it’s all we can do to ride out the discomfort so we don’t make the situation worse. …

Strategies for navigating a changed world — With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out and 1.41 billion vaccination shots delivered worldwide, a return to the outside world is on the horizon. But after being socially distanced and isolated for over a year, many people are feeling anxious about a return to “normal.” I thought I would feel less anxious…

And how to effectively prepare — The therapy landscape has changed significantly over the past year. Going to therapy can be intimidating in person, but consumers are now forced to navigate teletherapy as well. Teletherapy has so many benefits. It allows busy people to fit appointments into their workday. It cuts down on travel time. …

Let’s talk about sex. If you struggle with shyness in the bedroom, that line may have made you uncomfortable. Usually, when we are shy or anxious about something, we tend to avoid it. And because we avoid it, we never have the chance to confront our anxiety or shyness. …