Tag: coping skills
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Understanding Thought Addictions
When we think about an addiction, we usually think about addictions to drugs or alcohol, gambling, sex, video games or even food. We rarely think about addictions to our thoughts. Many of my clients have thought addictions.
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Managing the Cognitive Distortion: Overgeneralization
Overgeneralization can contribute to a restricted thought process and lifestyle. This form of distorted thinking intensifies feelings of shame and unworthiness as well as thoughts of inadequacy.
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Navigating Conflict with Unreasonable People
Everyone knows that it’s impossible to avoid conflict in our personal and professional life. At times, the people in our lives can be completely unreasonable when it comes to conflict. If you are facing conflict with an unreasonable person, it is critical to find effective conflict management strategies. As a psychologist, I spend countless hours…
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Changing Emotions by Acting Opposite
Most of us don’t realize how often our emotions control our lives — keeping us stuck, fearful, or reactive. In this article, Dr. Christine E. Dickson explains how the powerful DBT skill “Opposite of Emotion Action” can help you break free from fear, guilt, sadness, or anger and take back control of your life.
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A Guide to Dialectical Thinking
Dialectical thinking teaches us to move beyond black-and-white views and embrace “both/and” perspectives. By practicing dialectical thinking, we gain flexibility, resilience, and compassion—tools that help us manage emotions, relationships, and everyday challenges with greater balance.
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7 Ways to Improve the Moment
Strong emotional reactions are an unavoidable part of life. From time to time, we will experience strong emotions due to stressful situations in our life. It could be anything from getting bad news to having an argument with a loved one. Strong emotional reactions are normal but most of us don’t know how to cope…
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Soothing Emotions with the Five Senses
Discover how soothing your five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—can help you calm your mind and body. This guide explains simple self-soothing techniques that can reduce stress and restore emotional balance, even if you’ve never learned them before.
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6 Ways to Reduce Vulnerability to Emotions
Emotional vulnerability often increases when we neglect basic health habits like sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Dr. Christine E. Dickson explains how simple daily routines—such as staying hydrated, eating balanced meals, and practicing mindfulness—can strengthen emotional resilience and help prevent overreactions to everyday stressors, keeping both mind and body in balance.
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How to Let Go of Emotional Suffering
Intense emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger, shame, embarrassment, or guilt can quickly take us over and create emotional suffering. Right now, you might be experiencing an intense emotion but don’t know how to deal with it. Maybe you are using distraction to cope but the moment you stop the distraction the intense emotion floods…
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8 Ways to Stop Obsessive Thinking
Obsessive thinking can feel like being trapped in a mental loop. The more you engage with it, the deeper you spiral. Breaking free requires shifting your attention — through movement, breath, creativity, or connection. These mindful strategies from Dr. Christine E. Dickson help calm your mind and restore emotional balance.