What motivates human behavior? Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories of motivation. According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions are motivated in order to achieve certain needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Maslow first introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" and his subsequent book Motivation and... Read more

What Is Cognitive Reframing? Cognitive reframing is a technique used to shift your mindset so you're able to look at a situation, person, or relationship from a slightly different perspective.1  Cognitive reframing is something that you can do at home or anytime you experience distorted thinking, but it can be helpful to have a therapist's assistance,... Read more

What is conflict? Conflict is a normal part of any healthy relationship. After all, two people can’t be expected to agree on everything, all the time. The key is not to fear or try to avoid conflict but to learn how to resolve it in a healthy way. When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause... Read more

Types of triggering events and coping strategies What does it mean to be "triggered?" This term has been casually used to refer to the experience of having an emotional reaction to some type of disturbing content (such as violence or the mention of suicide) in the media or in another social setting. However, there is... Read more

There are seven stages that all states in the past have followed, and are still following today If you could go back in time and relive a moment from history, what era would you pick? Maybe you’d choose to spectate a gladiator game at the Colosseum and experience Rome at its zenith, or perhaps you’d want... Read more

How to Make Your Goals Achievable The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.– Bill Copeland Do you ever feel like you're working hard but not getting anywhere? Maybe you see little improvement in your skills or achievements when you... Read more

Have you ever known people who always seem to keep their cool, who are able to handle even the most awkward social situations with grace, and who always seem to make others feel at ease? Chances are pretty high that those individuals possess what psychologists refer to as emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence involves the ability to... Read more

What is Self-Esteem? Any discussion about how to build our self-worth must start with a definition of self-esteem. The two are, of course, related. Your self-esteem is undoubtedly influenced by your self-worth. However, they are not the same. Self-esteem is primarily built upon sources outside of yourself that you don’t actually control. Self-esteem encapsulates the thoughts and... Read more

Self-sabotage can seem mysterious and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.As a psychologist and therapist, it’s something I help my clients work through every day. In this guide, we’ll walk step-by-step through how to think about self-sabotaging behavior and what to do about it. You’ll learn: A simple definition of self-sabotageThe origins and causes... Read more