https://youtu.be/1ALCrzw_1Xo “Be mindful of your self-talk. It's your conversation with the universe.” As humans, we can’t help but look to the next rung on the ladder. Forgetting the 100 rungs we have already climbed. Today’s Psychology Challenge Take note of the trail behind you. The hard work. The success. The heartbreak. The soul awakenings. The... Continue Reading →
Face Everything and Rise
Fight or Flight Threat Response Every time we feel threatened (threat is the fundamental definition of stress) our first instinct is to “fight or flight“. This perpetual “fight or flight” response loop eventually creates a host of secondary problems, above and beyond, the original stressor. Powerpoint Slide from Broaden and Build Leadership Event, January 2022... Continue Reading →
Resilience and Mental Health: Healthy Workplace Keynote
Healthy Workplace Awards I recently did a virtual keynote at the Healthy Workplace Awards Ceremony. Watch Video: Click Here Given all we are collectively going through, I thought the notes and video from the virtual keynote presentation would be helpful to everyone. News Release: CTV News Especially as we wrap up 2020. A year where... Continue Reading →
Anxiety Relief Technique
FEAR is an illusion 5 Why's Technique The 5 Why's is a simple and effective technique for understanding the source of our fears and cognitive distortions (irrational beliefs) one why at a time. Exploring the Unconscious Mind An analytic (below the surface) strategy originating in the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. What's... Continue Reading →
Situational Anxiety Interview
Mental Health Matters Interview with Dr. Kathy Garland Situational Anxiety vs. Clinical Anxiety 1. Video Format of Interview Watch on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ttX6h_D8o&feature=youtu.be 2. Podcast Format of Interview Available on SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts. https://soundcloud.com/user-240189621/mental-health-matters-dr-dinardo-and-situational-anxiety Reflection Questions What did you learn about situational versus clinical anxiety from our interview? Can you relate to the personal example of heightened... Continue Reading →
IS THIS NORMAL? Temporary Emotions vs Mental Illness
The most common question people ask when they discover I'm a retired psychologist is - "Is This Normal?" This question is a significant motivator for creating this psychology blog in the first place. Because too often people suffer because of lack of understanding versus a diagnosable medical condition. differential diagnosis · the process of differentiating... Continue Reading →
Anger is a sign that something needs to change
Individuals are often looking for healthier ways to express their emotions. For Example: Anger That said, it's not as simple as becoming "more calm" or "less explosive". The first step in transformation and lasting change is looking below the surface. The Kübler-Ross Model provides insight: The goal is to discover if angry thoughts, actions, or... Continue Reading →
Emotional Freedom Technique for Social Anxiety & Imaginary Audience
Have you ever felt like you’re being watched? Judged and scrutinized. Like all eyes are on you and every potential error you make? Everyone experiences this phenomenon from time to time, especially when trying out something for the first time. Think back to the first time you gave a dinner party, swung a golf club,... Continue Reading →
5 Ways to Cultivate Mental Health Daily
In this psychology article, published in The Drive Magazine, I share simple ways to cultivate mental health daily. Instead of thinking of mental health as a burden you must shoulder, imagine it as an opportunity to experience peace and joy. In the same way that we make time for our physical needs, we must devote... Continue Reading →
How does a psychologist make a clinical diagnosis?
Psychology in Your Life The intention for this post is to introduce you to one aspect of the diagnostic process — specifically: differential diagnosis. And ultimately to help you understand that psychological assessment is a complex, worthwhile process. What’s normal 🆚 clinical? To answer that question, I would like to invite you into my clinical psychology class. ... Continue Reading →
FOMO ANXIETY Simple Tips for Feeling Better
This post is for anyone experiencing FOMO. Particularly on a long weekend holiday! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I2P5VhC-Ih8 Psychology Insight: Holidays heighten social anxiety of every kind. FOMO especially. Consider these questions as you explore what’s going on below the surface. 1. Do you remember the first time you experienced FOMO? 2. How did you cope with the anxiety... Continue Reading →
EMPOWERING THOUGHTS
Choose the THOUGHTS that emPOWER you today. It takes one word one thought one mantra to shift our mind from pain to power. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wIK91yKh0Zo What will your empowering thought be this week? I’d love to know. Share your WORD in comments below ⤵️ Related Post: Empowering Conversations Thanks for visiting my psychology blog! Dr. D... Continue Reading →
Optimism Bootcamp: 3 Steps to Empowerment
Nathalie Begin author of the Gutsy Feeling Blog invited me to give a positive psychology workshop called Optimism Bootcamp at a Symposium for Crohn’s & Colitis Canada. The audience was filled a very special group of people. Individuals that have been battling the chronic condition of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) their whole lives. Optimism and Health... Continue Reading →
Empowering Conversations About Health
In today's psychology class, we discussed how important it is to empower friends, family, and clients going through difficult times. HONOUR THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU And how even if we are an expert in psychology, nursing, or business - it does not make us the master of someone else's life. Together we explored... Continue Reading →
How we talk to ourselves matters
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FHAotUT2eAY How we talk to ourselves matters. Particularly in the eye of the storm. Having a “go to” mantra in times of uncertainty helps. Especially in the uncomfortable, agonizing moments between stress and strength. An image that helps me is imagining myself growing roots and wings during dark times. Chanting “I am expanding” as the... Continue Reading →
Community Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqs-qUHSAnA In Celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month CULTIVATING MENTAL HEALTH DAILY In this video, I share an overview of my psychology article in The Drive Magazine (May, Issue 121). An issue devoted entirely to mental health awareness, treatment, and prevention. With the ultimate goal of ending the stigma of mental illness. A topic I... Continue Reading →