MAKER.AI generated and edited post inspired by a recent psychotherapy session Q: What Do Beliefs Tell Us About Depression? Depression is a crippling condition that significantly influences how we think, act, feel and related to ourselves, others, and the world around us. Many individuals struggle to understand their depression: where is comes from, the wayContinue reading “PSYCHOTHERAPY INSPIRATION”
Author Archives: Dr. Rick Barnett
5 Simple Ways to Develop Self-Consistency in Daily Life
Do you find yourself struggling to stay consistent with your goals? Developing self-consistency can be incredibly difficult. It is also something that many of us strive for every day. It’s not as simple as telling oneself “I am consistent”, but rather a journey that takes commitment and accountability. There are some easy ways to developContinue reading “5 Simple Ways to Develop Self-Consistency in Daily Life”
The Panacea is in the Practice
There may be no “gamechanger” and no “magic bullet” to reduce stress, improve wellness, or to otherwise make positive changes in life. The instant gratification from a quick fix is like a promissory note that can only be paid off through practice. When in search for a cure, for transformation, or for lasting change, theContinue reading “The Panacea is in the Practice”
The Flexibility Principle
To paraphrase a favorite quote: “I am a person of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.” (Everett Dirksen) Not only does such a quote point to the wisdom of paradox, it also highlights what may be considered a universal principle for health and well-being. We findContinue reading “The Flexibility Principle”
Liking Versus Wanting
This is a difficult topic area to cover in a short, three paragraph blog as part of a 30-day blog-a-day challenge for December 2020. It has been chosen because it truly struck a cord when an article was forwarded along with the curiosity-inspiring title: “The science of addiction: Do you always like the things youContinue reading “Liking Versus Wanting”
A Little “Relapsy”
A little relapsy? This came up in an addiction recovery-based support meeting recently and the significance of such a concept is worth exploring. What is a relapse, a lapse, a slip, harm reduction, “abstinence violation effect“, or “a little relapsy”? From an addiction context, relapse is variably defined and even more variably addressed. For example,Continue reading “A Little “Relapsy””
Re-Ligio
In times of quiet contemplation, like a morning cup of coffee, there may arise from within, a calmness, or a sense of clarity or peace. During or after a morning meditation, in the shower, the commute to work, sitting on a park bench, looking out a window, or staring at a device without purpose, itContinue reading “Re-Ligio”
If Gratitude Was a Drug
Two foundational concepts in basic pharmacology are pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Put simply, pharmacokinetics refers to the way in which the body acts on the drug and pharmacodynamics refers to the way the drug acts on the body. Let us consider the creative application of how the body acts on gratitude and how gratitude acts onContinue reading “If Gratitude Was a Drug”
RSVP Life
We have all been invited to this event called life. Please respond. How have we responded? With delight or dread? With rejoice or resistance? With curiosity? Regardless, we were invited and we showed up to the event. Each day we can choose how we show up for life. Maya Angelou once said “If you don’tContinue reading “RSVP Life”
Surrender is Not a 4-Letter Word
Surrender is not a 4-Letter word. In a world smitten by self-reliance and strict self-determination, any association with the experience of surrender is quickly dismissed as a form of defeat, resignation, weakness, or powerlessness. Salty expressions of indignance at the concept of “giving up the battle to win the war” or that admitting weakness isContinue reading “Surrender is Not a 4-Letter Word”
Health, Mental Health, Addiction 