Emotion as Information

Emotion Regulation

Real Grit Means Mastering Your Emotions

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on April 8, 2026

From athletes to business leaders to parents, we admire people who keep their cool when life turns up the heat. Mastering emotions is the key.

From athletes to business leaders to parents, we admire people who keep their cool when life turns up the heat. Mastering emotions is the key.

Shame

Stop Saying 'He/She Got Dumped'

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on March 23, 2026

"Dumped" adds a layer of shame to an already painful loss.

"Dumped" adds a layer of shame to an already painful loss.

Emotions

What Happens When You Make a Mistake?

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on November 19, 2025

Are you hard on yourself when you or your loved ones make mistakes? There is another way.

Are you hard on yourself when you or your loved ones make mistakes? There is another way.

Relationships

What Do You Want Me to Do?

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on October 22, 2025

Feeling like a nagging wife or partner? Here’s a tip to change that dynamic.

Feeling like a nagging wife or partner? Here’s a tip to change that dynamic.

Relationships

3 Reasons It’s Hard to Say “I Love You”

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on October 5, 2025

Is your relationship suffering over the words I love you? Going beyond your reluctance may be healing.

Is your relationship suffering over the words I love you? Going beyond your reluctance may be healing.

Parenting

"Shut up and Listen!" A Message to Parents

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on September 22, 2025

Gen Z doesn’t want more lectures—they want to be heard. When kids blame parents, it often stirs shame and defensiveness. But shutting down or self-blaming only widens the gap.

Gen Z doesn’t want more lectures—they want to be heard. When kids blame parents, it often stirs shame and defensiveness. But shutting down or self-blaming only widens the gap.

Shame

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Accountability

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on September 5, 2025

Why is it so hard to be accountable for our mistakes, flaws, and transgressions? Our emotions can help shed some light.

Why is it so hard to be accountable for our mistakes, flaws, and transgressions? Our emotions can help shed some light.

Loneliness

What Does Connection Feel Like?

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on July 16, 2025

Connection is a felt experience that nourishes our hearts, minds, and nervous systems. Learn how to cultivate a greater sense of connection.

Connection is a felt experience that nourishes our hearts, minds, and nervous systems. Learn how to cultivate a greater sense of connection.

Emotions

5 Surprising Consequences of Not Understanding Your Emotions

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on July 8, 2025

Understanding emotions empowers us to feel better and navigate the emotional challenges of life. Why doesn't our society teach us about emotions?

Understanding emotions empowers us to feel better and navigate the emotional challenges of life. Why doesn't our society teach us about emotions?

Authenticity

Defining and Finding Our Authentic Self

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on June 10, 2025

As we move toward vitality and authenticity, our ability to tolerate challenges grows. We discover that we are not powerless to change or at the mercy of our minds.

As we move toward vitality and authenticity, our ability to tolerate challenges grows. We discover that we are not powerless to change or at the mercy of our minds.

Relationships

5 Tips to Be Heard and to Listen Better

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on May 16, 2025

Here are tips for people who want to be better heard and for people who struggle to listen well. Try them!

Here are tips for people who want to be better heard and for people who struggle to listen well. Try them!

Relationships

Learn to Listen for Better Relationships

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on May 15, 2025

Have you ever spaced out when someone was talking to you? Or have you ever talked to someone you had a feeling wasn't listening? They were somewhere else.

Have you ever spaced out when someone was talking to you? Or have you ever talked to someone you had a feeling wasn't listening? They were somewhere else.

Anxiety

Feeling Anxious? You Might Have an Internal Conflict

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on March 19, 2024

Experiencing opposite needs at the same time can make us feel stuck.

Experiencing opposite needs at the same time can make us feel stuck.

Perfectionism

Recovering From My Body Perfectionism

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on March 18, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Most of us judge our bodies and obsess about being more perfect. How can we feel more comfortable in our skin?

A Personal Perspective: Most of us judge our bodies and obsess about being more perfect. How can we feel more comfortable in our skin?

Perfectionism

Understanding and Healing Perfectionism

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on February 23, 2024

Struggling with perfectionism? Understanding the root emotions will ease this symptom.

Struggling with perfectionism? Understanding the root emotions will ease this symptom.

Anxiety

5 Instant Benefits From Working the Change Triangle

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on December 4, 2023

Our dysfunctional society fails to provide us with an education in emotions. But learning a few basics can help reduce symptoms of buried emotions like anxiety and depression.

Our dysfunctional society fails to provide us with an education in emotions. But learning a few basics can help reduce symptoms of buried emotions like anxiety and depression.

Jealousy

Easing the Guilt and Jealousy

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on November 1, 2023

We can be jealous and happy for others at the same time.

We can be jealous and happy for others at the same time.

Anxiety

2 Things Not to Say When Your Child Says “I Hate You!”

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on October 2, 2023

Parents often think that children shouldn't use the word "hate." But the word itself isn't the problem, and how parents respond can make all the difference.

Parents often think that children shouldn't use the word "hate." But the word itself isn't the problem, and how parents respond can make all the difference.

Anxiety

One Simple Fix to Combat Social Anxiety

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on September 6, 2023

Ever feel anxious walking into a social gathering? This tip will help!

Ever feel anxious walking into a social gathering? This tip will help!

Emotion Regulation

Emotions Are Physical

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on August 1, 2023

Most people think emotions happen in the mind. But emotions, above all, are physical experiences.

Most people think emotions happen in the mind. But emotions, above all, are physical experiences.