Most of us have experienced days when our emotional coping tanks feel like they’re running on empty. Minor inconveniences such as a coffee spill, a passive-aggressive email from a colleague, or a flat tire might feel like the final straw, leading to extreme frustration, a rush of tears, or even an angry outburst. For some of us, living in this heightened state of emotional vulnerability is the norm. If a slight nuisance often feels like an insurmountable obstacle to you, you

Every behavior serves a purpose or function. As human beings with free choice, we act purposefully and to fill a need whether or not we are fully aware of it. Understanding the function of a behavior will help us understand the reason behind the action and how we can handle unhelpful behaviors in ourselves and those around us.  Most functions of behavior fall into four categories, with the acronym EATS: Function #1 - E scape Sometimes things feel so overwhelming that we just

If you ever scroll through social media reels or read a self-help book these days, odds are you’ve come across the word validation. Whether or not we can define the word off-the-cuff, most of us have felt its power at one point in our lives: the comfort and relief that comes from someone recognizing our internal experience and confirming that our thoughts or feelings are understandable and real. As relational beings, we knowingly or unknowingly crave this recognition from bir

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

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

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

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...

Therapy has become an integral part of our culture. With its terms utilized in our daily expressions, and therapeutic practices becoming...

You know that feeling when you want two things that seem to contradict each other? When you're pulled in two directions at once? Maybe you feel proud of how far you’ve come - and still overwhelmed by how far you have to go. Maybe you love your child with your whole heart - and still find yourself frustrated or worn thin. Maybe you laugh at a joke through tears - because part of you is still hurting. That space — that messy, beautiful in-between where emotions don’t line up ne

Life gets overwhelming sometimes — and not just in the dramatic, fall-apart kind of way. More like in the quiet, relentless pressure of...

Did you ever hear yourself saying something along the lines of “it just shouldn’t be this way?”, or “I should be able to just do xyz”?...

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has helped countless people build healthier, more balanced lives—but misconceptions still surround it....

College students interested in clinical psychology are faced with a very difficult task. Most of these students are interested in gaining...

One of our core values as the Jewish people is chessed. We try to emulate Hashem in all of our actions, and given that Hashem is...

The biosocial theory is the theory that underpins dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). It gives us an understanding of why DBT works, by...

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a therapy that heavily emphasizes and utilizes the practice of mindfulness. Some tend to think...

If you're reading this, chances are that you are a person. And, if you are a person, chances are that you have some habits or behaviors...