Ikigai (ee-key-guy) is a Japanese concept that combines the terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.” When combined, these terms mean that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose. Ikigai is similar to the French term “raison d’etre” or “reason for being.” In this […]
We are not born with an instruction booklet, but if we were, I am sure the first chapter would explain the art of self-leadership. The fact is, we all lead ourselves to some extent. How efficiently we do that determines how much we live life with purpose and intent. Yet, […]
Life changes, while often vital to our wellbeing, can be a leap of faith. We try to become confident and less stressed, more assertive, and goal focused while improving our grip on anxiety. And yet, how do we know if it’s working? How can we be sure that the changes […]
We’ve all been there. Whether it’s a bad day or a truly terrible situation, life will try to knock us down. Fortunately, many coping strategies have been found to be effective at minimizing the effects of hardship. One simple but powerful way to enhance resilience is to find silver linings […]
While events like natural disasters, wars, or accidents can be considered traumatic by most people, other events may be traumatic due to people’s subjective experience. Experiencing a traumatic event can have either a transitory or an ongoing impact on psychological and physical states. Some people can easily overcome the impact […]
A crisis is often a time of great suffering, disagreement, and confusion; yet, it can also be an opportunity for positive social transformation. To achieve constructive change in a community, it is vital to see the links between individual needs and global politics, economics, and cultural development (Riemer, Reich, Evans, […]
An assertive person makes a point clearly and calmly, with confidence. They accept that they may have more to learn and, therefore, fear neither challenge nor a difference in opinion. They consider their own needs as necessary, and while coming across as assured, they are definitely not aggressive. While communicating, […]
Can you imagine living without technology? I can’t. Technology is incorporated into every aspect of our lives. Most of us use technology to manage work tasks, online meetings, and email, but we also use technology to relax. For example, we binge-watch Netflix, play online games, and watch YouTube. We also […]
Life is full of opportunities to step outside the comfort zone, but grabbing hold of them can be difficult. Sometimes the problem is not being aware of reasons to do so. After all, if the feeling of comfort signifies our most basic needs are being met, why should we seek […]
We often view the world through the lens of our biases. We bring cultural, professional, educational, and social baggage to our thoughts, decisions, and beliefs. As mental health professionals, we carry these preconceptions to our meetings with clients, influencing our diagnoses. Therefore, we can be guilty of refusing to accept […]
