Moments That Matter

Decision-Making

Adjusting Attitude and Expectation May Help Decision-Making

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on October 11, 2023

A Personal Perspective: A straightforward adjustment in attitude and expectation might help avoid negative interactions when two people must make decisions.

A Personal Perspective: A straightforward adjustment in attitude and expectation might help avoid negative interactions when two people must make decisions.

Anxiety

Managing Dread With "What if" and "So What?"

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on September 20, 2023

Personal Perspective: Recently, a patient in my psychotherapy practice was reflecting on her experience in therapy after what she described as three productive years of treatment.

Personal Perspective: Recently, a patient in my psychotherapy practice was reflecting on her experience in therapy after what she described as three productive years of treatment.

Relationships

How to Make Criticism a Gift

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on June 16, 2023

Perceiving criticism as a gift may have something to do with our relationship to the critic, how criticism-tolerant you are, and how the criticism has been delivered.

Perceiving criticism as a gift may have something to do with our relationship to the critic, how criticism-tolerant you are, and how the criticism has been delivered.

Self-Sabotage

Personal Propaganda

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on June 12, 2023

We all hear ourselves say things like, "I meant to call you, but I didn't have time!" But is this statement accurate or a way in which we defeat ourselves?

We all hear ourselves say things like, "I meant to call you, but I didn't have time!" But is this statement accurate or a way in which we defeat ourselves?

Career

Do You Want My Help or Don’t You?

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on May 9, 2023

Acknowledging willingness to help may be more beneficial than the act itself.

Acknowledging willingness to help may be more beneficial than the act itself.

Grief

The Funny Thing About Grief

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 6, 2023

Personal Perspective: Aside from lasting forever, it also has a life of its own.

Personal Perspective: Aside from lasting forever, it also has a life of its own.

Resilience

Erosion of Affection

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on September 28, 2022

When issues between partners are not adequately and amicably resolved and therefore become chronic grievances, the potential for irreparable damage is great.

When issues between partners are not adequately and amicably resolved and therefore become chronic grievances, the potential for irreparable damage is great.

Grief

Complicated Mourning

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on April 22, 2021

Is there a wrong way to grieve?

Is there a wrong way to grieve?

Marriage

Marriage Is a Verb, Not a Noun

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 13, 2021

Why do our relationships become something less, instead of something more?

Why do our relationships become something less, instead of something more?

Memory

Having to Be Right

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on October 14, 2020

How can we learn to attend to the emotional significance of an issue and our partner’s point of view?

How can we learn to attend to the emotional significance of an issue and our partner’s point of view?

Anxiety

Being Kind to Yourself

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on August 12, 2020

Do you treat others better than you treat yourself?

Do you treat others better than you treat yourself?

Fear

Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on June 9, 2020

Why we're often our own worst enemies.

Why we're often our own worst enemies.

Marriage

If There Is an Us, What Happens to Me?

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on May 22, 2020

Without a healthy, solid, and well-nourished “I” within the “we,” a partnership may feel constricting — or worse, draining.

Without a healthy, solid, and well-nourished “I” within the “we,” a partnership may feel constricting — or worse, draining.

Anger

How Couples Can Use Anger

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on March 15, 2020

How can we use anger to strengthen communication and enhance our relationships?

How can we use anger to strengthen communication and enhance our relationships?

Depression

Cancer of the Mood

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 24, 2020

Too often, well-meaning friends and relatives will be heard to say things like, "Don't you think you should be better by now?"

Too often, well-meaning friends and relatives will be heard to say things like, "Don't you think you should be better by now?"

Pessimism

The Power of "Yet"

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 4, 2020

You might be surprised to learn that I think "yet" is one of the most important and powerful words in the English language.

You might be surprised to learn that I think "yet" is one of the most important and powerful words in the English language.

Relationships

Is Dependency Unhealthy?

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on November 1, 2019

Life together will be easier for people with similar dependency needs and styles. However, differences between partners should not be mistaken for different levels of caring.

Life together will be easier for people with similar dependency needs and styles. However, differences between partners should not be mistaken for different levels of caring.

Trauma

Insight Rich and Change Poor

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on September 10, 2019

What can we expect as the result of psychotherapy?

What can we expect as the result of psychotherapy?

Environment

Adapting or Maladapting?

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on July 10, 2019

What happens when our attempts to adapt to a problem intensify it rather than ease or resolve it?

What happens when our attempts to adapt to a problem intensify it rather than ease or resolve it?

Anxiety

Relief or Change

Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on May 11, 2019

Which is the most meaningful, relief or change?

Which is the most meaningful, relief or change?