I didn't sleep for 5 nights straight. I was consumed by worry and desperate for some rest. The guy who helps others with anxiety, the experienced mental health professional, was in a bad place. Thank God for my friends and the doctors who helped me. I was neglecting too much on the checklist below. ...

I'm a middle child from a loud and emotionally expressive family. Growing up, everyone expressed how they felt - except me. I decided at a young age to hide my feelings and live inside my head. Not a strategy I would recommend.

If you want to go deeper on managing difficult emotions—especially ange...

History is filled with examples of people who overcame the most challenging of circumstances. Learn as much as you can from those who overcome. What you'll find is that you CAN improve your self-confidence if you work at it.

People who build self-confidence are committed to not avoiding things, to ...

In fifth grade, I had a tough experience that stuck with me. In front of a packed lunchroom, my school principal, Sister Katherine, scolded and intentionally embarrassed me, accusing me of causing chaos—including dancing on a table. None of it was true.

She then pulled me into her office, where she...

Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high, while happiness feels harder to reach. But the research is clear: happy people have different habits than those who struggle.

Happiness isn’t accidental—it’s built through consistent, healthy actions. Make time for your mental wellness now, or life will e...

Last Christmas, we took a pottery class together as a family, and it turned out to be a great experience. There was some hesitation—and even a bit of anxiety, myself included—but by the end, everyone was glad they gave it a try. We also made struffoli, an Italian cookie, and a family favorite. 

You m...

I’m capable of courage—and excuses. When I recall how I've grown after facing and engaging with intimidating situations, I’m more motivated to lean in rather than avoid.

Growth has never come from playing it safe; it comes from stepping into what feels uncomfortable and discovering I can handle it....

Change is both unavoidable and challenging. Even positive transitions—like marriage, a promotion, or welcoming a new child—can be destabilizing. Difficult changes—such as job loss, divorce, or the death of someone you love—can be even more disruptive if they aren’t navigated well.

What separates ...

If great relationships were easy, more people would have them. Strong relationships require effort—learning how to work through conflict, practicing patience, and truly listening. Relationships that last don’t happen by accident; they’re built through intentional effort from both people.

Whether yo...

Most people procrastinate because they fear failure, and psychologically, they view something that's not perfect as failure. Their avoidance, driven by anxiety, can make them appear lazy.

Clients share with me frustrations about not getting things done. They put off reading, exercise, eating health...

If you want to excel in life, being able to stay calm when feeling overwhelmed is an essential skill. The consequences of not doing so can be significant (e.g., addiction, damaging relationships, job loss, missed opportunities, etc.).

Knowing your triggers (people, places, and situations) and how y...

Who in your life do you trust the most? What makes it is it easy to trust them? Who is someone you struggle to trust? What makes it hard?

How do you know when you can trust someone and how do they know they can trust you? Here are 7 essentiasl to look for and model in yourself when building trust b...