Posts by Laura K. Schenck, Ph.D., LPC
The Effects of Gratitude in Relationships
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus Gratitude has profound positive effects on our relationships with others and our overall well-being. Even when times feel bleak or hopeless, there is much for which to be grateful. Take…
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Passive Aggression Toward the Self
“We all have a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.” – Jane Austen When you begin to move towards a desired direction in your life, there is often an accompanying sense of excitement, anxiety, and hesitancy. Everything that is “new” is “unknown” in some way,…
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How to Make a Willingness & Action Plan
“First say to yourself what you would be, and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus When we are setting goals and making plans for the future, for what kind of person we wish to be, and what values we wish to live by, psychological barriers can threaten to get in way of…
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Write About Feelings to Ease Stress & Trauma
“Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.” – Francis Bacon During times of intense stress or when recovering from traumatic incidents, there is often a sense of not being sure of how to effectively regulate emotions or deal with disturbing thoughts. Sometimes, emotions may seem…
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Yoga: Mindfulness in Motion
“Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God.” – Krishnamacharya Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment and noticing all aspects of your internal and external experience with equanimity. You do not have to engage in…
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7 Steps to Bring About Lasting Change
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy When we begin new habits and routines, we are often simultaneously letting go of unwanted habits. Many people have realized firsthand that when you remove something unwanted from your life (e.g., a self-destructive habit), it is quite helpful to…
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9 Psychological Tasks for Lasting Love
“I love her and that’s the beginning of everything.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald What makes the difference between a healthy love that lasts versus one that fails to stand the test of time? According to Judith S. Wallerstein, PhD, co-author of the book The Good Marriage: How and Why Love Lasts, research indicates that successful marriages involve…
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How to Deal with Barriers to Effective Action
“It is not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It’s because we dare not venture that they are difficult.” – Seneca Once you have an understanding of what your most deeply held values are and what specific goals you have set to begin to live those values, it is important to recognize…
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The Importance of How You Think About Mistakes
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford We all make mistakes. Some people seem to learn from their mistakes more readily than others. Many people haven’t given specific consideration to how they think about mistakes. We all have beliefs about what mistakes mean, the importance of making mistakes,…
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How to Translate Values Into Committed Action
“What one does is what counts. Not what one had the intention of doing.” – Pablo Picasso Once you feel that you have a clear sense of the underlying values that you wish to live by, the next step is to translate those values into committed action. While possessing knowledge of what your values are is…
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