Silence in talk therapy? Silence may seem like a strange concept to highlight in a treatment based around conversation. Still, for anyone who's taken part in a therapy session, you know that silence is a big part of conducting or attending a therapy session. “Silence is golden” may be an […]
Helping people change unhealthy or damaging behavior is one of the most significant challenges therapists face (Hall, Gibbie, & Lubman, 2012). When encouragement to stop harmful behaviors (heavy drinking, smoking, etc.) or to adopt a healthy lifestyle (exercise, taking medication, following a better diet) is ignored, it can be frustrating. […]
Behavioral activation (BA) is a standalone therapeutic treatment typically used to help people with depression. At its core, BA aims to enable individuals to reengage with their lives through specific activation techniques (Westbrook, Kennerley, & Kirk, 2011). Activation techniques help combat behavioral patterns of withdrawal, avoidance, and inactivity, which may […]
The next time you feel stuck with a problem, I invite you to close your eyes and imagine a wise person. In your thoughts, approach them and describe your problem to them. Imagine their response and the entire detailed conversation. How do they perceive the problem? What is their response […]
Do you know the story about the frog in a pot? As the story goes, if a frog is placed in a pot of water, it won’t notice the slow increase in temperature; by the time the water has begun to boil, it is too late for the frog to […]
In the absence of motivation, health-related advice is often ignored and behavior change is blocked by ambivalence (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Motivational interviewing (MI) is a proven counseling method that enhances motivation to change in adolescents and adults, resting on the premise that clients change when/if they believe they can […]
Some tasks make you feel inspired, stimulated, and raring to go. Other tasks can make you want to curl up in bed, procrastinate on Netflix, or avoid them at all costs, until you're finally forced to get on with it. The reality is, some activities will always feel like a […]
Heading out the door at 5 a.m. for another long, cold training run in the dark takes single-minded motivation. And maintaining focus when your team is behind and heading into the final few minutes of the game requires mental toughness. Sports are played by the body and won in the mind, […]
As I write, my dog lies beside me, snoring. He’s our companion, colleague, friend, and family member. Despite ignoring most commands and eating what he shouldn’t, he is deeply loved and the ideal listener. While often boisterous, when approached by a child or someone elderly or less able, he yields […]
Intrinsic motivation refers to when we feel compelled to do something for internal reasons, such as when a task interests us (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is the need to do something for external reasons, such as meeting a deadline or wanting approval. Knowing how […]
