How to Find the Strength to Say NO! Say NO – The simple word “no” carries remarkable power. For many people, however, using this power effectively remains one of life’s greatest challenges. The inability to say no—to unreasonable requests, invasive behaviors, or activities that don’t align with our values—creates patterns of overcommitment, resentment, and…
Believe – In an age characterized by unprecedented access to information, scientific advancement, and widespread questioning of traditional institutions, belief itself sometimes appears quaint or outdated. Skepticism and critical thinking are rightly valued, yet from a psychotherapeutic perspective—particularly through Gestalt and Somatic Experiencing lenses—the capacity to believe in something remains fundamentally important to psychological health,…
Brutal honesty. In a world where social niceties, diplomatic phrasing, and careful self-censorship often prevail, there exists a transformative force that many find both terrifying and liberating: brutal honesty. From a Gestalt therapy and Somatic Experiencing perspective, this raw, unfiltered truth-telling represents not merely communication but a profound pathway to psychological healing, authentic connection, and…
The phrase “betraying our parents” often evokes strong emotional reactions. It can sound harsh, even sacrilegious in cultures that deeply value filial piety and family loyalty. Yet, from a therapeutic perspective, particularly within Gestalt therapy and Somatic Experiencing frameworks, this psychological process represents not an act of disloyalty but a necessary developmental step toward authentic…
Self-Mistreatment Self-Mistreatment . In the quiet moments of self-reflection, many of us discover a harsh truth: we often treat ourselves in ways we would never treat others. The internal critic berates us for minor mistakes, we push our bodies beyond reasonable limits, deny ourselves rest, and engage in self-sabotaging behaviors that undermine our well-being and…
Conflict avoidance – Why You Avoid Conflict (Even When You’re Right) Conflict avoidance. Do you find yourself agreeing with others even when you actually hold a different view? Perhaps you experience intense anxiety at the mere hint of disagreement, quickly backtracking or apologizing to restore harmony. Maybe you carefully monitor your opinions to avoid…
External validation – Why You Keep Waiting for Someone to Choose You External validation. Do you find yourself perpetually waiting to be selected, noticed, or deemed worthy by others? Perhaps you hesitate to pursue meaningful goals without external validation, seek continuous confirmation that you matter to important people in your life, or find yourself…
The Healing Power of Saying ‘This Hurt Me’ Healing Power. The words often feel impossible to form—that simple, direct acknowledgment: “This hurt me.” Instead, we find ourselves taking endless detours around this fundamental truth. Perhaps we minimize the impact (“It’s not really a big deal”), intellectualize the experience (“I understand why they did it”), or…
Authentic selfhood – How to Reconnect with the Real You Authentic selfhood. Do you sometimes catch yourself wondering who you actually are beneath the roles you play? Perhaps you’ve become so adept at being what others need—the reliable colleague, the supportive friend, the perfect partner, the successful professional—that you’ve lost connection with your authentic…
The Emotional Cost of Being Hyper-Independent Emotional Cost. Do you pride yourself on rarely needing help, handling challenges alone, or maintaining complete self-sufficiency regardless of circumstances? Perhaps you find it nearly impossible to ask for support even when struggling, feel uncomfortable when others offer assistance, or experience an almost visceral aversion to appearing vulnerable…