STRESS Blog

Self Esteem vs Unconditional Self Acceptance (USA)

As a young psychotherapist working in psychiatric programs at two major hospitals in the 1970’s, it seemed that many patients experiencing an emotional crisis were also identified as having “low self esteem.” This meant that they thought badly of themselves, compared themselves negatively with others, blamed and downed themselves, etc.…

NUCLEAR NERVES: How not to worry – Part 2

Born to Worry? Reviewing Part 1 reminds us that the most powerful stress & anxiety generator is the one mounted on our shoulders. How we think greatly influences how we feel and act. Worry may seem automatic and beyond our control (and for some voodoo-ers seems to prevent unwanted things…

NUCLEAR NERVES: How not to worry – Part 1

As Putin’s War continues to ravage Ukraine and the threat of NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) warfare heightens, so does our collective concern — if not anxiety. In REBT we think of this emotion on a continuum from mild concern, to moderate, then severe concern before crossing over at some point…

Courage: Made in Ukraine

At the time of this writing, Putin’s army is surrounding Kyiv, Ukraine, while Zelensky courageously defies Russian occupation inspiring Ukrainians and the entire Free World. But courage also shines outside the media spotlight and is displayed daily in unnoticed and uncounted ways. Robert Louis Stevenson captured this nicely when he…