I counsel a lot of teenagers and young adults who suffer from low self-confidence. One thing that sometimes happens is they find themselves staying in relationships that aren’t working because they allow their self-worth to be dictated by being in a relationship, or by being valued by their friends, rather than valuing themselves independently for […]
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Are You Dating a Narcissist?
This Youtube video goes over the common traits a Narcissist, Borderline Personality Disorder, and other types of personality disordered people look for in a partner. Are you one of them? She also goes over what to do about it. In my Grand Rapids, MI practice, I work with lots of men who are navigating the […]
We all have habits that we wish we could eliminate—whether it’s mindlessly scrolling through social media, snacking late at night, or procrastinating on important tasks. At the core of these behaviors lies a powerful mechanism known as the habit loop, which is composed of three key components: cue, routine, and reward. To effectively break free […]
Healthy relationships require more than just love—they need respect, healthy boundaries, and mutual understanding. Sometimes, seemingly small behaviors, like interrupting, publicly correcting, or speaking over a partner, may signal early signs of disrespect. If left unaddressed, these behaviors can erode trust, breed resentment, and harm a relationship over time. Here’s why these actions matter and […]
I listened to a podcast this morning about being needed. It described how people who don’t feel useful often get depressed. This can even lead to suicide or early death for some. For example, when men retire and don’t have enough to do, they often lose their sense of purpose. Their health sometimes suffers as […]
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Building Kids’ Confidence
Here’s a snippet of advice about helping in building kids’ confidence. Although Nick, in this video, is talking about sons, the advice is also true for daughters. Let kids help you do things that are worth doing; things they consider adult tasks. Then either teach them or trust them to figure it out themselves. But, […]
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Why SFBT Works Well for Men
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals focus on finding practical solutions to their problems rather than delving into the past or analyzing deep-rooted emotional issues. It’s an effective, time-efficient therapy option that encourages individuals to harness their strengths and set achievable goals. For many men, this approach to therapy is particularly […]
Success leads to more success. When possible, focus on what you’re doing right, and less on what you’re doing wrong. Focusing on your successes builds your confidence to keep going and keep trying. Focusing on your failures will demotivate you and may even lead to depression. But of course, be realistic; be honest. An Example […]
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Social Anxiety: Tips to Overcome It
Social anxiety, often referred to as social phobia, is a common mental health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be characterized by intense fear or discomfort in social situations, leading to avoidance and distress. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it is possible to manage and overcome social anxiety. Here are […]
Raising a teenager can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. One of the common hurdles parents face is dealing with their teenager’s anger. Adolescence is a time of significant change and development, which can often result in intense emotions. Here are some effective strategies parents can use to help manage and understand their teenager’s anger. […]
Is there some significance to our dreams? Actually, yes. However, from my experience dreams are not about wish fulfillment as Freud postulated. Our dreams represent an unconscious attempt to work on concerns we are having at the present time. One of my clients has been having nightmares lately after a stressful life event. The fact […]