The poet Alexander Pope wrote: “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” However, if making mistakes or failing is such a part of our existence, why do most of us avoid making or have difficulties when we make mistakes? One of the key components to learning is through a process called negative knowledge. As we […]
Living a Symbolic Life
The word psychology is made up of the words “psyche,” meaning soul, and “logos,” to study. One branch of psychology, depth psychology, explores the deeper parts of our experiences contained in the unconscious – a vast collection of thoughts and emotions that have been repressed and hidden from our awareness. To gain access to this […]
Finally Growing Up
The poet e.e. cummings wrote, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” However, what does being a mature adult entail? It means psychologically and emotionally separating from our parents and others, even institutions or careers, which have previously provided a sense of security. As we individuate – choose our own […]
Perfectionism
Although most of us take genuine pleasure in completing a job to some standard of achievement, perfectionists are driven for excellence every time. Perfectionists do not allow themselves to make mistakes and are often on the alert for imperfections and weaknesses in themselves and others. Perfectionists often view situations with black-and-white thinking; outcomes are good […]
Transitioning Life’s Losses
Psychoanalyst David Peretz stated, “Loss is an integral part of human existence, a fact which has profound consequences from birth to death.” However, what exactly are these consequences? Losses are usually accompanied by a sense of grief, a feeling many people are uncomfortable with. We may feel out of sorts, confused, restless, depressed, angry and […]
Setting Our Boundaries
Learning to establish boundaries is vital for personal growth and well-being. In order to achieve this, we must learn to identify our rights and needs and then become skilled at assertively taking care that these needs are respected. This process allows our true selves (our wants, needs, desires, thoughts, values and feelings) to emerge. Healthy […]
