negative thinking

For decades, therapy has been synonymous with the classic image of a client lying on a couch while a therapist scribbles notes. Fast forward to today, and this image is rapidly changing. Imagine instead opening an app and confiding in an AI chatbot—a scenario that’s becoming increasingly common as artificial…

Gender dysphoria is the term used to describe deep feelings of distress, unease, and discomfort because one’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity, or the gender they feel they innately are. Gender dysphoria is a condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),…

As hard as we might try, sometimes we aren’t very kind to ourselves. While being hard on ourselves may seem like no big deal, consistent negative thoughts often convince us that our mistakes and flaws are who we are, not what we’ve done. Though it’s a long process to quiet…

Overthinking in a relationship is something we all do from time to time. However, if it happens all the time, it can become unhelpful and even detrimental. The constant internal chatter can make you believe thoughts that are not necessarily true, such as convincing yourself that people you love don’t…

Cognitive distortions are inaccurate thoughts that we believe to be rational but only serve to perpetuate negative thought patterns and behaviors—ones that often make us feel bad about ourselves.  Because cognitive distortions are the backbone of negative thinking and emotions, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping patients change these…

Mental health advice on the Internet often boils down to a few general teachings about emotional regulation. We’re encouraged to learn coping skills and strategies for dealing with stress. We’re supposed to become more resilient in the face of adversity. We’re meant to manage our negative feelings in healthier ways….

Q: I am feeling super overwhelmed and alone. What are some things that I can do to calm down? A: We’re so sorry to hear that you’re feeling overwhelmed and alone. Those feelings are really difficult and we understand that it can be hard to find ways to calm and…

For years, I experienced unwanted thoughts. I’ll spare you the gruesome details, but chances are, you or someone you love knows just how bad the mind can get. In fact, we know a lot more than ever before the kinds of pain people are going through. To take some examples: The online…

“Little did I know that in these dark moments of early motherhood, I wasn’t simply reacting to the stress-inducing challenges of being a new mom. I was also unexpectedly dealing with a series of present-moment triggers that were causing me to relive the excruciating traumas of my youth.”  Lindsay’s daughter,…

I’ve recently started counseling with Thriveworks, but I am at a complete loss on how to turn my life around. Every day, I feel like a zombie who is not actually living life but going through the barely functioning motions of life (I am currently diagnosed with chronic anxiety, depression,…

Did you know that adults have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts each and every day?  Out of these 80,000, a majority of these thoughts are repetitive and a large amount of them are negative.  Based on this information, two concerns come to mind: Where do these thoughts come from? What…