Intimacy, A Path Toward Spirituality

Self-Esteem

You Are Special and Unique, Just Like Everyone Else

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on March 4, 2023

The temptation to think we are special or better than others can keep us spinning our wheels. We all have unique qualities that make us who we are.

The temptation to think we are special or better than others can keep us spinning our wheels. We all have unique qualities that make us who we are.

Forgiveness

The Courage to Acknowledge Our Mistakes—Without Self-Blame

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on February 5, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Making mistakes is part of the human condition. It takes courage to acknowledge our mistakes. Only then can we learn and grow from them.

A Personal Perspective: Making mistakes is part of the human condition. It takes courage to acknowledge our mistakes. Only then can we learn and grow from them.

Relationships

Is the Love You Get Greater Than Your Ability to Receive It?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on January 5, 2023

If we can expand our capacity to receive love, we can live a better life.

If we can expand our capacity to receive love, we can live a better life.

Embarrassment

The Power of Receiving and Giving Validation

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on December 2, 2022

Humans need mirroring, support, and validation. The best way to receive this support from others is to find creative ways to extend support to them.

Humans need mirroring, support, and validation. The best way to receive this support from others is to find creative ways to extend support to them.

Psychology

Finding Inner Peace by Befriending Our Feelings

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on November 7, 2022

Our tendency is to cling to pleasant feelings and push away unpleasant ones. Judging our feelings as positive or negative can make it more difficult to welcome our human feelings.

Our tendency is to cling to pleasant feelings and push away unpleasant ones. Judging our feelings as positive or negative can make it more difficult to welcome our human feelings.

Embarrassment

The Hidden Shame That Threatens Our World

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 7, 2022

Personal Perspective: Shame is a painful sense of being flawed and unworthy. When we've been deeply shamed, we may cover it up through destructive anger, contempt, and blame.

Personal Perspective: Shame is a painful sense of being flawed and unworthy. When we've been deeply shamed, we may cover it up through destructive anger, contempt, and blame.

Relationships

A Simple Tool for Welcoming Our Feelings

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on August 29, 2022

R.A.I.N offers a simple process to recognize and be with our feelings in a gentle, caring way.

R.A.I.N offers a simple process to recognize and be with our feelings in a gentle, caring way.

Grief

How to Reclaim Your Life After a Tough Breakup

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on July 29, 2022

Separation is a painful experience that we've all tasted. Staying connected to our worth and value while making room for grief and sadness allows healing.

Separation is a painful experience that we've all tasted. Staying connected to our worth and value while making room for grief and sadness allows healing.

Embarrassment

A Sneaky Obstacle that Undermines Our Well-Being

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on July 3, 2022

Shame is a universal, oftentimes hidden emotion that can hold us back in intimate relationships. Learning to recognize and be gentle with it is the first step toward healing.

Shame is a universal, oftentimes hidden emotion that can hold us back in intimate relationships. Learning to recognize and be gentle with it is the first step toward healing.

Anger

The Art of Moving From Conflict to Connection

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on June 3, 2022

We can move from butting heads to sharing hearts as we learn to pause, connect with ourselves, and express our tender feelings with an open heart.

We can move from butting heads to sharing hearts as we learn to pause, connect with ourselves, and express our tender feelings with an open heart.

Trauma

How to Survive Betrayal

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on May 7, 2022

Betrayal is one of the most painful aspects of the human condition, but there is a path toward healing.

Betrayal is one of the most painful aspects of the human condition, but there is a path toward healing.

Relationships

Why Self-Care Is Vital for Mature Relationships

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on April 13, 2022

Self-care creates a vital foundation for loving others. Being gentle with our feelings enables us to be more present and connected in relationships.

Self-care creates a vital foundation for loving others. Being gentle with our feelings enables us to be more present and connected in relationships.

Confidence

Is It Possible to Have Too Much Self-Confidence?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on February 23, 2022

Self-confidence is an important aspect of self-esteem, but too much can be a problem. How do we find a harmonious balance?

Self-confidence is an important aspect of self-esteem, but too much can be a problem. How do we find a harmonious balance?

Relationships

4 Tips for Becoming a More Generous Listener

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on January 25, 2022

Here are four tips to help you move toward more heartfelt, generous listening, which creates a foundation for deeper connections.

Here are four tips to help you move toward more heartfelt, generous listening, which creates a foundation for deeper connections.

Relationships

How to Create Deeper Relationships

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on January 3, 2022

We want to love and be loved, but oftentimes we lack the awareness and skills to do so. Here are some tips for connecting with ourselves and others so that love may deepen.

We want to love and be loved, but oftentimes we lack the awareness and skills to do so. Here are some tips for connecting with ourselves and others so that love may deepen.

Relationships

What Cats Can Teach Us About Love

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on December 10, 2021

A Personal Perspective: Cats can teach us how to love and be loved. Their capacity to be in the present moment and receive affection can delight our heart and feed our soul.

A Personal Perspective: Cats can teach us how to love and be loved. Their capacity to be in the present moment and receive affection can delight our heart and feed our soul.

Body Language

Our Issues Live in Our Tissues

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on December 2, 2021

Exploring the research-based focusing approach of Dr. Eugene Gendlin. Accessing the intelligence of our body can accelerate our growth.

Exploring the research-based focusing approach of Dr. Eugene Gendlin. Accessing the intelligence of our body can accelerate our growth.

Empathy

The Perils of Toxic Positivity

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 20, 2021

There's nothing wrong with having a positive attitude. But when others are hurting, they need us to honor their feelings, not just push positivity.

There's nothing wrong with having a positive attitude. But when others are hurting, they need us to honor their feelings, not just push positivity.

Aging

Getting Wiser in Our Later Years

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 2, 2021

Aging is not just about getting older. It can also be about getting wiser and living a more fulfilling life.

Aging is not just about getting older. It can also be about getting wiser and living a more fulfilling life.

Relationships

Do You Live in Your Body or Are You Mostly in Your Head?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on September 3, 2021

Clear thinking is important, but are we neglecting a deeper aspect of our being? This article explores the importance to staying connected to our body and being.

Clear thinking is important, but are we neglecting a deeper aspect of our being? This article explores the importance to staying connected to our body and being.