Striving to do well is a positive attribute as long as there are no negative consequences for doing so. A healthy desire to excel and achieve high standards is one thing. Perfectionism, though, can be problematic if you evaluate yourself based on self-imposed, highly demanding standards, especially in areas of life that are important to […]
Self-help reading is often assigned as an extra-therapy activity and, like any homework assignment, thoughtful planning on the part of the therapist can mean the difference between a homework assignment that is completed or not. The following guidelines can improve the likelihood that clients will understand and complete self-help readings.
Never assign a self-help reading that […]
The signs of someone with a significant hoarding problem are obvious. Floorboards rot and sag under the weight of tons of paper and garbage. Food containers litter the home and the smells of rotting food and mildew permeate the air. Every nook and cranny is filled with stuff and what paths there are in the […]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition and therefore even following an effective treatment, your client always and will forever face the possibility of relapse. Assisting the client to manage the risk of relapse is an essential part of treatment for the condition. As you taper sessions with the client, use the times between sessions […]
Exposure therapy is often a primary treatment component when working on anxiety. Whether an individual is coming to treatment for a specific fear, social anxiety, OCD, or another type of anxiety presentation, exposure can be a critical aid in reducing distress. It can also significantly change our relationship with anxiety and the role it plays […]
“Cognitive restructuring” is one of the cornerstone skills of Cognitive Therapy. It involves identifying thoughts that are impacting our mood and considering alternatives that may be more helpful or accurate. Practicing this simple skill allows us to recognize that our thoughts are flexible and adaptable, and that they have a big impact on how we […]