Tag: personal growth
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7 Ways to Overcome Perfectionism
Perfectionism is one of the strongest drivers of anxiety, rooted in the belief that worth depends on achievements. As Dr. Christine E. Dickson explains, perfectionism often leads to self-criticism, burnout, and low self-esteem—but it doesn’t have to. By recognizing unhealthy thinking styles, focusing on progress over flaws, setting realistic goals, and embracing pleasure in daily…
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How to Take Hold of the Mind
Before we can calm the mind, we must first calm the body. Meditation—through simple practices like breathing, mindful walking, or body scans—creates the foundation for taking hold of our thoughts. As Dr. Christine E. Dickson explains, learning to step back and observe the mind as a “witness” helps us see thoughts as stories rather than…
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SufferWell Tonic
Many people turn to alcohol, marijuana, or sleep aids to cope with suffering, but these often leave us feeling worse. As Dr. Christine E. Dickson shares, a simple apple cider vinegar and honey tonic—used since Ancient Egypt—can calm the body, ease anxiety, and even improve sleep. This natural “SufferWell Tonic” may not only soothe suffering…
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Mistakes as Teachers
Mistakes are not signs of failure—they’re feedback. Just as children learn to walk by falling, each error shows us what needs to be adjusted. As Dr. Christine E. Dickson explains, mistakes are steps toward growth, not reflections of worth or intelligence. By viewing them without shame and labeling them as “ineffective” or “unwise” rather than…
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Encouraging Words
Read from my private journal and learn what I say to myself during times of upheaval or difficulty.
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Happiness Sutras
On September 9, 2020, I woke to a blood orange sky that felt apocalyptic. In the midst of wildfire smoke, a pandemic, and unrest, my son handed me a journal with my “Happiness Sutras,” inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh. Reading those stories of joy shifted me from fear to gratitude. As Dr. Christine E. Dickson…
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From the Dungeon to the Palace
I’ve always been a very curious person with many different interests. As an undergraduate, I double majored in psychology and English literature. As a doctoral student, I completed the coursework and internships in two different programs: (1) clinical psychology, the assessment and treatment of mental illness, and (2) industrial-organizational psychology, the scientific study of human…
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Crazy Sexy Anxiety
Kris Carr, author of Crazy Sexy Cancer, has lived with Stage IV cancer since 2003 by redefining illness and rejecting the victim mindset. Inspired by her work, Dr. Christine E. Dickson applies the “crazy sexy” approach to both medical and psychiatric conditions, helping clients view challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD not as sources of…
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Overcoming Anxiety: The Story of “Alan”
Dr. Dickson describes how she helps clients overcome anxiety with four simple tools.
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What is Mindfulness?
Sometimes we get stuck thinking about a particular thought and it feels like we have no control over our mind. All of this brain chatter can be overwhelming and affect how we feel each day. But if we really tune into our thoughts, we’ll notice how much they wander. We might be: Thinking about plans…