Tag: Resilience
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The Gift of Dyslexic Thinking
Anyone who knows me would tell you I am a creative, out-of-the-box thinker with strong analytical and intuitive skills. What many people don’t know is that I grew up struggling with dyslexia and was placed in special education despite winning awards for creativity. My grandparents, with only eighth-grade educations, became my most important teachers—helping me…
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6 Steps to Staying Sane in the Conflict Zone
Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but learning how to manage it can protect our wellbeing. As Dr. Christine E. Dickson explains, staying calm in the “conflict zone” is a skill we can develop. By avoiding triggers, not taking things personally, giving ourselves time-outs, practicing mindful breathing, talking through feelings, and keeping a sense…
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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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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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People Aren’t Perfect
Unrealistic expectations can damage even the strongest relationships. In this post, you’ll learn how letting go of perfection, practicing forgiveness, and adjusting your mindset can help you build healthier connections with the people in your life.
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3 Ways to Tolerate Stress and Anxiety
At times stress and anxiety can feel overwhelming, leaving us exhausted and drained. In this post, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Christine E. Dickson shares practical tools for tolerating strong emotions. These strategies can help you move through difficult moments with greater resilience.
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9 Ways to Accept Reality
In a previous post, I wrote about the practice of radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is accepting life on life’s terms. It is derived from deep spiritual wisdom that goes back thousands of years. The practice of radical acceptance has helped people thrive during periods of upheaval or change, and has helped decrease symptoms of anxiety,…
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The Practice of Radical Acceptance
Acceptance is the only way out of suffering. For thousands of years, religious and spiritual traditions have advocated acceptance and surrender as a way to manage the challenges and stressors of life. This deep spiritual wisdom has helped people survive and thrive during periods of turmoil and upheaval. As a psychologist, it would be foolish…