People sometimes ask me if clients lie to helping professionals. Though it seems kind of self-defeating — considering they’re paying for the sessions — I’ll admit that I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out when somebody’s not telling the truth. … Continue reading
I wrote a column recently where I suggested that how you feel is determined by how you think. A Delaware Wave reader emailed; asking if that concept doesn’t open the door to rationalization and fooling yourself. She wrote: “I have … Continue reading
I’ve always liked the old proverb, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” And I always follow it up with something like, “So you’d better be ready for whatever might be down that road.” … Continue reading
Far from being something mysterious, the power of suggestion is often a part of everyday life. For example, let’s say you mistakenly drink a caffeinated beverage close to bedtime, but don’t realize it until the next day. You’re surprised that … Continue reading
From time to time clients will tell me that they like to read peppy little affirmations first thing in the morning. But interestingly enough, others tell me that these fluffy, hyperbolic one-size-fits-all sentences feel like nothing more than false hype … Continue reading
A Delaware Wave reader asks if it’s possible to be just friends with somebody to whom you are attracted romantically, even if they don’t feel the same way. She goes on to ask if that can also apply to an … Continue reading
Over the years I’ve encountered clients who tell me that certain sounds make them feel uncomfortable and annoyed. I even have a friend who sold his house and moved because constant traffic sounds kept him perpetually angry. A bit of … Continue reading
When dealing with others, it’s important to be careful about the way we phrase things. And “being nice” has nothing to do with it; the way we phrase things has an impact on how we view them, and sometimes it … Continue reading
Many people are under the impression that they can avoid trouble in their relationships by not arguing. They mistakenly assume that the absence of fighting – or any disagreement – is an indication that the relationship is healthy. But that … Continue reading
Contrary to what the drug companies would have you think, anxiety can sometimes be useful and necessary. Like, for example, when that anxiety triggers a call to sensible action. Let’s say you feel anxious at the sight of an oncoming … Continue reading
The craziness of the last couple of years has created a situation where potential retail and restaurant employees will sometimes present glowing resumes, then don’t come close to living up to what they claimed they knew – assuming they showed … Continue reading
A growing volume of research appears to indicate that self-esteem might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Studies have shown that many people – from valedictorians to low-achieving students and everyone in between – think quite highly of … Continue reading