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Moments That Matter

Moving Toward Growth and Change

Anxiety
Managing Dread With "What if" and "So What?"

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on September 20, 2023

Personal Perspective: Recently, a patient in my psychotherapy practice was reflecting on her experience in therapy after what she described as three productive years of treatment.

Personal Perspective: Recently, a patient in my psychotherapy practice was reflecting on her experience in therapy after what she described as three productive years of treatment.

Relationships
How to Make Criticism a Gift

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on June 16, 2023

Perceiving criticism as a gift may have something to do with our relationship to the critic, how criticism-tolerant you are, and how the criticism has been delivered.

Perceiving criticism as a gift may have something to do with our relationship to the critic, how criticism-tolerant you are, and how the criticism has been delivered.

Self-Sabotage
Personal Propaganda

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on June 12, 2023

We all hear ourselves say things like, "I meant to call you, but I didn't have time!" But is this statement accurate or a way in which we defeat ourselves?

We all hear ourselves say things like, "I meant to call you, but I didn't have time!" But is this statement accurate or a way in which we defeat ourselves?

Resilience
Erosion of Affection

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on September 28, 2022

When issues between partners are not adequately and amicably resolved and therefore become chronic grievances, the potential for irreparable damage is great.

When issues between partners are not adequately and amicably resolved and therefore become chronic grievances, the potential for irreparable damage is great.

Memory
Having to Be Right

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on October 14, 2020

How can we learn to attend to the emotional significance of an issue and our partner’s point of view?

How can we learn to attend to the emotional significance of an issue and our partner’s point of view?

Depression
Cancer of the Mood

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 24, 2020

Too often, well-meaning friends and relatives will be heard to say things like, "Don't you think you should be better by now?"

Too often, well-meaning friends and relatives will be heard to say things like, "Don't you think you should be better by now?"

Pessimism
The Power of "Yet"

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 4, 2020

You might be surprised to learn that I think "yet" is one of the most important and powerful words in the English language.

You might be surprised to learn that I think "yet" is one of the most important and powerful words in the English language.

Relationships
Is Dependency Unhealthy?

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on November 1, 2019

Life together will be easier for people with similar dependency needs and styles. However, differences between partners should not be mistaken for different levels of caring.

Life together will be easier for people with similar dependency needs and styles. However, differences between partners should not be mistaken for different levels of caring.