Have you ever felt hopeless and in absolute agony? Now imagine that feeling for 365 days and every second you’re awake. You wake up feeling like there’s no light in the world, and you’re in this absolute abyss without any answers or a way out. That’s not being selfish. It…

What is Guided Discovery in CBT? Guided discovery is a form of Socratic questioning in cognitive behavioral therapy. But it is different than the general process used in the Socratic questioning. Instead, in guided discovery, there's no direct aim for the conversations. Here's an overview of the process for the technique: First, gathering data by asking…

You may be faltering in your path, desperate to find a glimpse of hope for a goal. But I promise you’re never too far from finding it. What you’re looking for has never departed far from your side. Isn’t life difficult all around? You see people around you struggling to…

Depression creates emotions of profound sadness that leave you hopeless inside. You don’t have the energy to do anything anymore. And the last thing you want is to get up to work or socialize with friends. That can’t be entirely your fault you no longer enjoy the sunshine or hobbies…

Why Remove the Labels? Labels can bind and control the future of who you are. People with BPD suffer from the chronic emptiness that tugs their lives. It prevents them from enjoying the simple beauty and pleasures in life. Also, the label and misconceptions around BPD create difficulty in truly understanding the problem. Myth #1: Borderline Personality Disorder is a Choice “I…

“Prick a borderline’s delicate ‘skin’, and she will emotionally bleed to death.” -Kreisman and Straus. What Is a BPD Favorite Person? A BPD favorite person is not the same as a best friend. A favorite person (FP) is more than someone sharing common interests with someone with BPD. It is a special person to meet their…

In DBT, there are concrete skills and exercises you can use in your daily life. It is easy to understand, and you can apply it to your life in distressful situations. Also, the exercises in DBT put mindfulness principles into concrete steps. Therefore, you will be able to see how…

What Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy? Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is psychotherapy that combines cognitive therapy, meditation, and mindfulness. It was, in the beginning, an 8-week program to prevent relapse for people with depression. And the program encourages patients to engage in a new way to relate to thoughts and feelings. The 8-week program is 2-hour…

“Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” — William Congreve Music therapy is an expressive therapy that uses music for a patient’s needs. Patients do not need musical talent or prior experience with music. Therapy may include singing, composing, listening, or playing…