Off the Couch

Relationships

Uncertainty Can Be a Powerful Ally in Any Relationship

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 16, 2024

Making room for confusion in a relationship can be—confusing and very useful.

Making room for confusion in a relationship can be—confusing and very useful.

Procrastination

Feeling Stuck? 5 Steps to Unsticking Yourself

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on September 9, 2024

We’re often told not to look back. But when you’re stuck, sometimes the past can help you move forward.

We’re often told not to look back. But when you’re stuck, sometimes the past can help you move forward.

Stress

Stressed Out? One Small Change Can Make a Difference

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on August 17, 2024

Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? If so, you probably feel like there's no way out of the hamster wheel of your life. This simple tool can help you feel better.

Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? If so, you probably feel like there's no way out of the hamster wheel of your life. This simple tool can help you feel better.

Relationships

6 Ways to Balance Relationships

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on July 7, 2024

Are you too clingy? Too independent? Are you different at home from how you are at work? Bringing different sides of yourself together can help you find a healthy balance.

Are you too clingy? Too independent? Are you different at home from how you are at work? Bringing different sides of yourself together can help you find a healthy balance.

Shame

Do You Suffer from Phone Game Shame?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 23, 2024

Many of use feel shame about playing games on our phones, even when they're supposed to improve some part of our brain functioning. Is playing games on your phone really so bad?

Many of use feel shame about playing games on our phones, even when they're supposed to improve some part of our brain functioning. Is playing games on your phone really so bad?

Social Media

What's the Truth Behind a Beautiful Image or Perfect Story?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 7, 2024

Taking the idea of a “perfect life” or “perfect anything” with a grain of salt can be hard, but it can lead to greater satisfaction with reality.

Taking the idea of a “perfect life” or “perfect anything” with a grain of salt can be hard, but it can lead to greater satisfaction with reality.

Career

What's the Difference Between Self-Care and Selfish?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 27, 2024

Does caring for your own needs create a problem for others you love? Or do you sacrifice yourself and give them what they need? Finding the middle ground.

Does caring for your own needs create a problem for others you love? Or do you sacrifice yourself and give them what they need? Finding the middle ground.

Anger

A Surprisingly Effective Way to Manage Conflict

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 8, 2024

Psychology and business come together to offer a different way of managing conflict.

Psychology and business come together to offer a different way of managing conflict.

Relationships

Gift Giving Is Not a Perfect Love Language

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on December 12, 2023

Gifts have many meanings. It's not always easy to read what they mean or to give the gifts that will be most meaningful. Here are 6 tips for giving and receiving.

Gifts have many meanings. It's not always easy to read what they mean or to give the gifts that will be most meaningful. Here are 6 tips for giving and receiving.

Shyness

8 Strategies When Being Shy Interferes with Your Love Life

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on November 25, 2023

Feeling shy can make you feel awkward, uncomfortable, tongue-tied, and stupid when you want to flirt and shine. These 8 strategies can help you connect.

Feeling shy can make you feel awkward, uncomfortable, tongue-tied, and stupid when you want to flirt and shine. These 8 strategies can help you connect.

Productivity

You Really Can Accomplish More by Doing Less

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on November 4, 2023

We're taught to always do more, more, more. But downtime is crucial not just to our health, but also to our ability to think, accomplish difficult tasks, and be productive.

We're taught to always do more, more, more. But downtime is crucial not just to our health, but also to our ability to think, accomplish difficult tasks, and be productive.

Stress

Stressed, Worried, or Overwhelmed? Soft Fascination Can Help

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 12, 2023

There is no simple solution for stress and worry. But “soft fascination” can help you get some relief. It’s close at hand and easy to use.

There is no simple solution for stress and worry. But “soft fascination” can help you get some relief. It’s close at hand and easy to use.

Anxiety

Disappointing Summer? 5 Steps for a Better Autumn

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on September 3, 2023

Are you feeling disappointed or disheartened about this summer? You're not alone. Here are some ideas for a better fall.

Are you feeling disappointed or disheartened about this summer? You're not alone. Here are some ideas for a better fall.

Anger

Mad or Sad? Is Anger Protecting You From Other Feelings?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on August 15, 2023

Anger can be a way that your psyche tries to protect you from hidden pain and sadness. Three techniques can help you manage your anger better

Anger can be a way that your psyche tries to protect you from hidden pain and sadness. Three techniques can help you manage your anger better

Self-Help

Dance Is a Powerful Tool for Emotional and Physical Health

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on July 4, 2023

Dance has been shown to have a positive affect on well-being. Here's how to bring the power of dance into your life, despite inhibitions and self-doubts.

Dance has been shown to have a positive affect on well-being. Here's how to bring the power of dance into your life, despite inhibitions and self-doubts.

Relationships

What to Do When You're Caught in the Middle on Mother's Day

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on May 10, 2023

Women in the "sandwich generation" often feel ignored on Mother's Day. Here's how you can remedy the problem.

Women in the "sandwich generation" often feel ignored on Mother's Day. Here's how you can remedy the problem.

Therapy

Can Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Help Older Adults?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on May 7, 2023

Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy—also known as "talk therapy"—has been shown to be very helpful to older adults struggling with depression.

Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy—also known as "talk therapy"—has been shown to be very helpful to older adults struggling with depression.

Career

5 Ways to Set Healthy Limits

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 30, 2023

Boundaries are not always clear-cut or easy to figure out. Here are 5 ways to start setting healthy limits.

Boundaries are not always clear-cut or easy to figure out. Here are 5 ways to start setting healthy limits.

Friends

Making New Friends at Any Age Is Easier Than It Seems

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 9, 2023

Research shows that it's hard to make new friends as we get older. But understanding what makes it hard and shifting your perspective just a little can make it much easier.

Research shows that it's hard to make new friends as we get older. But understanding what makes it hard and shifting your perspective just a little can make it much easier.

Stress

6 Tips for Managing Stress When You Have to Keep Going

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on March 31, 2023

Stressed, overworked, exhausted? Suggestions to slow down, set boundaries, and cut back can feel like just more tasks and criticism to boot. Try these suggestions instead.

Stressed, overworked, exhausted? Suggestions to slow down, set boundaries, and cut back can feel like just more tasks and criticism to boot. Try these suggestions instead.