Pieces of Mind

Agreeableness

The Cost of Being the Person Everyone Likes

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on April 20, 2026

You're warm, agreeable, and easy to be around—yet privately furious, exhausted, and unknown. Here's what it's costing you.

You're warm, agreeable, and easy to be around—yet privately furious, exhausted, and unknown. Here's what it's costing you.

Therapy

Has Therapy Felt Useless? You May Have Been Misunderstood

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on March 13, 2026

If you've been told to "open up more," and "show your feelings," you may be someone who is overcontrolled. That changes everything about what therapy works for you.

If you've been told to "open up more," and "show your feelings," you may be someone who is overcontrolled. That changes everything about what therapy works for you.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Supporting Someone with BPD: Tips for Family Members

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on January 12, 2026

Much as you may wish you could, you can't control the other person. In a relationship with someone with BPD, focus on yourself and your own behavior for the best outcome for all.

Much as you may wish you could, you can't control the other person. In a relationship with someone with BPD, focus on yourself and your own behavior for the best outcome for all.

Eating Disorders

Building a Healthy Relationship with Food

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on September 18, 2025

Life after an eating disorder isn't just about food; it's also about finding freedom, balance, and peace with food. Discover some mindful steps and journaling prompts to help you.

Life after an eating disorder isn't just about food; it's also about finding freedom, balance, and peace with food. Discover some mindful steps and journaling prompts to help you.

Perfectionism

Perfectly Alone: How Perfectionism Undermines Connection

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

If you're the person who is duty-bound, rule-governed, emotionally inhibited, and believes in doing everything the "right" way, then you may be an overcontrolled perfectionist.

If you're the person who is duty-bound, rule-governed, emotionally inhibited, and believes in doing everything the "right" way, then you may be an overcontrolled perfectionist.

Loneliness

Loneliness, Fear of Failure, and Suicide Among Young Adults

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on March 19, 2025

Too many young adults are struggling with loneliness and fear of failure. These experiences along with stress and worry about unrealistic expectations can lead to depression.

Too many young adults are struggling with loneliness and fear of failure. These experiences along with stress and worry about unrealistic expectations can lead to depression.

Self-Help

The Magic of Novelty: Why It Matters and How to Embrace It

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on January 6, 2025

Are you bored with your life? When was the last time you did something out of your daily routine? As adults, we can sometimes forget there is so much we haven't seen or done.

Are you bored with your life? When was the last time you did something out of your daily routine? As adults, we can sometimes forget there is so much we haven't seen or done.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sex Abuse: Have You Ever Told Anyone?

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on August 30, 2024

Many people keep the secret of being abused as a child. They don't want to think about it and may feel shame. Reaching out for treatment can make a difference.

Many people keep the secret of being abused as a child. They don't want to think about it and may feel shame. Reaching out for treatment can make a difference.

Relationships

Two Key Reasons Differences in Opinion Damage Relationships

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on June 20, 2024

Do you fear differences in opinion? Too often, they lead to conflict. Here are some ideas to strengthen rather than weaken relationships when conflict occurs.

Do you fear differences in opinion? Too often, they lead to conflict. Here are some ideas to strengthen rather than weaken relationships when conflict occurs.

Relationships

Letting Go With Grace: How to Fall Out of Love

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on June 2, 2024

Reflect, create some distance, and remember the negatives.

Reflect, create some distance, and remember the negatives.

Self-Help

Doing Something New Is Good for You

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on March 18, 2024

Personal Perspective: Are you starting to think you don't know what the younger generation is talking about? Have you stopped trying new things? You may be stuck in a routine.

Personal Perspective: Are you starting to think you don't know what the younger generation is talking about? Have you stopped trying new things? You may be stuck in a routine.

Self-Help

Working on Autonomy and Mental Wellness

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on February 7, 2024

A healthy balance between autonomy and dependence can be difficult to achieve and varies for different people. Do you have a balance that works for you?

A healthy balance between autonomy and dependence can be difficult to achieve and varies for different people. Do you have a balance that works for you?

Emotional Intelligence

Building Mental Wellness Through Autonomy

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on January 21, 2024

Building autonomy includes knowing the purpose of your life. When was the last time you reflected on your purpose or the meaning of your existence?

Building autonomy includes knowing the purpose of your life. When was the last time you reflected on your purpose or the meaning of your existence?

Relationships

The Basics of Mental Wellness in 2024

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on December 26, 2023

Mental wellness is considered by some to have multiple factors, such as self-acceptance, and positive relationships with others. Do you have all the components of mental wellness?

Mental wellness is considered by some to have multiple factors, such as self-acceptance, and positive relationships with others. Do you have all the components of mental wellness?

Anxiety

Overcoming Loneliness Through Vulnerability

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on August 22, 2023

One source of chronic loneliness that can be overlooked is social anxiety disorder. Wanting a friend but being afraid of meeting people can lead to depression and bitterness.

One source of chronic loneliness that can be overlooked is social anxiety disorder. Wanting a friend but being afraid of meeting people can lead to depression and bitterness.

Therapy

Looking at Blocks to Progress in Therapy

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on May 29, 2023

Many issues can block progress in therapy. Addressing them can make a difference.

Many issues can block progress in therapy. Addressing them can make a difference.

Eating Disorders

Binge Eating Disorder Is Not About Willpower

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on February 26, 2023

Has treatment for binge eating not worked for you? Perhaps transdiagnostic treatment is indicated.

Has treatment for binge eating not worked for you? Perhaps transdiagnostic treatment is indicated.

Depression

Emotional Well-Being and the High Achiever

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on September 9, 2022

The parent who does it all with seeming ease, the top-tier CEO, and the teen at the head of their class may all seem happy. But they often aren't.

The parent who does it all with seeming ease, the top-tier CEO, and the teen at the head of their class may all seem happy. But they often aren't.

Friends

Friendship Skills: The Next Step in Addressing Loneliness

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on September 17, 2021

Are you struggling with loneliness and don't understand what's blocking you from making friends? Consider some of these ideas for forming connections with others.

Are you struggling with loneliness and don't understand what's blocking you from making friends? Consider some of these ideas for forming connections with others.

Loneliness

Taking Steps to Be Less Lonely

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on July 13, 2021

Are you painfully lonely? Perhaps your efforts to connect with others haven't worked. Social fears and tension may be blocking your efforts to make friends.

Are you painfully lonely? Perhaps your efforts to connect with others haven't worked. Social fears and tension may be blocking your efforts to make friends.