You might not have known this, but going to therapy is like getting involved in a relationship.  Like all good relationships, you want to make sure it’s productive and healthy. Unlike all good relationships, though, therapy shouldn’t be a forever-thing. In therapy, a goal should be set and worked toward.  To ensure you have a healthy, productive, and goal-driven therapeutic relationship, you should ask questions that help you clarify what you’re looking to get out of therapy.

As the days grow shorter and the cold builds up, many people notice a shift in their mood, energy, and motivation. The winter months can feel heavy. There is less sunlight, and a change in routines, which can lead to withdrawal from the cold weather, and what is commonly referred to as the “winter blues.” For some, this may show up as low mood or fatigue. Our nervous systems are deeply influenced by light, circadian rhythm, and connection. When those are reduced, it makes sen

Have you been feeling flooded recently? I have– and for me it came suddenly. From one day to the next, there were suddenly midterm exams, term papers, research papers, upcoming finals, graduate school decisions, and of course a myriad of other non-college related responsibilities that seemed to appear out of nowhere.  Other than breaking each task into tiny manageable tasks and drowning in to-do lists, I figured there had  to be a quick and easy way to combat the giant inner

It’s amazing how quickly the mind picks up habits. Some stick around because they’re helpful, and others stay simply because they’re familiar. Many people come into therapy feeling frustrated that they “know better” but still slip into the same reactions or thought loops. The truth is that the brain doesn’t change just because we want it to. It changes through repetition and practice. That’s where therapies like CBT and DBT come in. They give the brain a new roadmap. One of t

So, what actually is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?  If you’re like me, you've probably run into a lot of long articles and blog posts about DBT that are intimidating, hard to read, and ultimately leave you with very little clarity. But what if you don't have the time to sift through multiple articles just to gain a better understanding? Well, that’s what this is for. My plan to get this explanation right involves two simple steps: understanding the terms, and understa

We all go through times when everything just feels… blah.  You’re not exactly sad, but you’re not excited either. Things you usually enjoy feel flat, and even small tasks start to feel like too much effort. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—everyone hits these dips sometimes. From a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) point of view, that lack of motivation isn’t laziness or a character flaw. It’s usually part of a cycle. When you feel low, you naturally pull back from

Postpartum anxiety is extremely common, yet many new mothers struggle to recognize when their “maternal instincts” and natural protectiveness cross over into an unhelpful preoccupation with their baby’s safety. Part of the confusion stems from the crucial emphasis on child safety reinforced by hospital staff, pediatricians, well-meaning bubbies , and even distant relatives and acquaintances. Whether or not it’s appropriate for your great-aunt-twice removed to weigh in on your

Lessons From My Visit to מרפאת תעצומות, the IDF’s New PTSD Unit Dr. Ben Langstein visiting the IDF’s New PTSD Unit Living in Israel has opened up some truly unique professional experiences for me as a therapist trained in military and civilian trauma care. Just recently, I was invited to speak to a new trauma unit within the Israeli army, מרפאת תעצומות (Mirpa’at Ta’Atzumot), loosely translated as “Clinic of Strength.” Yesterday, I was able to visit the clinic and see their wo

One of the first things people notice when they start CBT is how much we talk about thoughts, emotions, and urges. They’re three distinct building blocks of our inner experience, but they can easily get tangled together. Taking time to tell them apart is actually one of the most powerful ways to gain self-awareness and emotional balance. Thoughts: The Stories Our Mind Tells Thoughts are the words or pictures that show up in your mind. They’re the running commentary that inter

We now stand at the crossroads of both joy and sorrow.  For many of us, we are experiencing incredible joy at the release of the living hostages, and what is hopefully a close to this painful chapter. However, we also feel deep sorrow for the hostages who have not yet been released, the reality we face in burying the deceased hostages, and for all those who have lost loved ones in battle and throughout this conflict. Somehow, we’re expected to feel both.  The question is, how

As the month winds down, many people expect to feel refreshed and ready to dive back into everyday life. But instead, it’s common to feel tired, scattered, or emotionally flat. After weeks of seudos, family gatherings, and spiritual focus, it takes time to find your balance again. Many expect to feel uplifted and renewed once the Yomim Tovim end, but often, what follows isn’t inspiration; it’s exhaustion. If you’re feeling drained, unmotivated, or irritable after Rosh Hashana

With Chagim  around the corner, we often find ourselves as preoccupied with meals and recipes as we are with repentance. From...

As we walk through the streets during this time of year, a sound carries through the air. You don’t have to be inside a shul to hear it....

Have you ever experienced guilt for failing to feel? If you’re Jewish, the answer is likely, “yes.”  For me this experience comes up...

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, many students and parents find themselves experiencing a mix of excitement and...

As summer draws to a close, many families find themselves navigating the sometimes-bumpy transition into a new school year. This period...

Every year, a lot of us start out with the best of intentions. This is the year to stop procrastinating, start working out, spend less...

What to be Wary Of In part one of the Pursuing Psychotherapy blog post, we figured out how to choose the right type of therapist and...

Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul . As I type those words onto my laptop screen, I notice a flood of familiar emotions washing over me. I feel...

Most people know what it feels like to regret something they’ve done. But not everyone realizes that there’s a big difference between...

What is Psychotherapy? So you think you might need therapy. Now what? This series will help guide you through the process. Become an...

Life is full of difficult moments such as conflict, loss, overwhelming emotion, and pain we can’t fix right away. In those moments, it’s...

There are moments when everything just feels too heavy, not because of one big thing, but because of everything. The way it piles up. The...

Self-esteem is a term we often use without fully understanding its meaning. While we’ve put a strong emphasis on building healthy...