Build Self-Confidence, Lower Anxiety, and Use Perfectionism to your Advantage: Part 2

So now that you’ve acknowledged that perhaps maladaptive perfectionism/self-criticism might be at the root of your pain, the next step …

Build Self-Confidence, Lower Anxiety, and Use Perfectionism to your Advantage: Part 1

The most common issue I see with my clients A fear of “failure”  is probably the most common underlying problem …

How to Not Resort to Shaving Your Head in Response to Stress & Achieve “Balance,” Whatever the Eff that Means…

I get a lot of clients who come to counselling with a goal of “achieving balance” in their lives. After …

Being Happy May Have Less To Do With Your Relationship Status Than You Think

In the spirit of the month of February, this article is is on the topic of relationships. I’m sure you …

Before You Go On the Diet (Or Fill Your Spare Time With Power-Cleans), Ask Yourself Why.

Before you read this, let me state a couple of points: The meaning of this post is not to say, …

Reality Doesn’t Have to Bite: How to Manage the Post-Holiday Blues

I woke up this morning to my favourite workplace Psychologist, Jennifer Newman. She was talking about the post-holiday blues, which …

Unwillingly Single? Relationship Problems? My Go-To Existentialist Coping Skill and Yet Another Reason to Learn Self-Compassion

I’m a pretty happy, optimistic person, and I quite enjoy being single. At least, I do a good job of …

Turning Down Opportunities, Saying “No,” and Being Selfish: How going against all you’ve been taught will keep you sane

**This article was also featured in Elephant Journal. Read it here. I’ve been fighting a flu lately. I work in …

Grief: Supporting Yourself or Someone Else Through Loss

There used to be this quote on our fridge growing up. It read, “Life is painful; suffering is optional.” I’m …

With Less Than a Month Left Before the World Ends, Ask Yourself What’s Important

Today is November 27th, less than 4 weeks before the Apocalypse. The downside is that you only got one turkey …

The Power of Impermanence: a Coping Strategy We All Can Share

I was sitting in traffic this morning, feeling the familiar mild anxiety I do every morning when I’m quite sure …

Is Self-Judgment Making You Depressed?

I’ve never bought a Star, US Weekly, or OK! Magazine in my life, partially because if I’m going to pay …

Focus on the Process, Not the Product

I’ve attended a few Bikram Yoga classes lately, not because I like Bikram Yoga (I actually kind of despise Bikram …

“First World Problems:” Using Perspective Effectively

“It could be worse,” I often hear people say. “Yeah, I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown…yeah, I can’t …

Parent Yourself Authoritatively for Success and Happiness: The difference between self-compassion and self-esteem

Have you found yourself in the company of an unruly young child (say, in the grocery store or SITTING NEXT …

Procrastination: 0. You: 1.

I should really write a new blog post. I’ll do it at lunch. But it’s so sunny out. I should …

The 75% Rule

Ever been told it doesn’t matter what your result, “as long as you tried your best” or that you should …

Meditation Outside the Monastery

I went on a meditation retreat a couple of years ago, determined to master meditation in 3 days (seemed reasonable …

Guilty! Identifying Productive Guilt

Unless you’re a psychopath, you’re familiar with the feeling of guilt. You know, that feeling you get if you ride …

Man Up, Speak Up. Stand Up For Your Rights

Cry-baby. Pussy. Girl. Wimp. Mama’s Boy. Tattle-Tale. Sally. These are just a few of the insults boys and men receive …