Those who seek out self-help books and those who seek out therapy often have similar intentions: to make a change and become a better version of themselves. So, what’s the difference between the two? And why can’t a self-help book replace your therapist? What Therapy Provides We asked some of our Talkspace therapists for their take on self-help books, why therapy differs from self-help books, and how to determine which is the best fit and most helpful for you....

Do certain activities, experiences, or tasks get you energized? Maybe picking up a good book and reading it cover-to-cover, running long distances, or volunteering at your local animal shelter fills you with enjoyment. In instances like these, no external incentives are needed to propel you forward into action, rather, it is intrinsicmotivation— motivation that comes from within — that gets you to act. Intrinsic motivation does more than just get you to learn and take action, it also results in more sustained interest, excitement, confidence, persistence, self-esteem, and performance over time, which is why it is a feeling that many people seek to foster within themselves....

Do you ever wonder about the below-the-surface forces that help you get up in the morning, drive your decision-making, and ultimately impact how you operate in the world? There are ways to uncover your personality type and better understand your motivation and preferences — most notably through theMyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). When you are able to better understand what makes you tick, you can maximize your skills, and natural abilities in your interpersonal relationships and career....

Five months ago, I moved from New York City to Los Angeles. I lived in NYC for eleven years, tend to make friends easily, and I had a large network I took for granted. I’m single, I live alone, and I’m a freelancer, so I had no partner, roommate, or coworkers to help me expand my social circle. I quickly discovered that making friends wasn’t as easy as I’d always assumed....

Updated 3/3/2022 Many of us have things that we fear. After all, fear is a normal human emotion designed to alert us to danger in our environment. But, what happens when that fear isn’t really a threat? If you find yourself reacting with extreme fear oranxietyto objectively safe situations or objects, then you may be experiencing a phobia. Phobias Defined If you think you might have a phobia, you are not alone....

Updated 03/21/24 Fears are inevitable, but when irrational fear of something becomes debilitating and impacts your everyday life, it’s considered a phobia. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder that provokes excessive, persistent, and extreme fear. They can arise from almost anything, some that seem stranger than others, and about 12.5% of people in the U.S. experience phobias. So you may wonder: what are the most common phobias, and what can you do to alleviate them?...

Updated on 4/13/2022 If you are exploring prolonged exposure therapy as a possible form of treatment and response prevention, here are some key considerations to keep in mind before diving in. Exposure therapy can help.Looking for a therapist specializing in exposure therapy?Learn more Exposure therapy can help.Looking for a therapist specializing in exposure therapy? Exposure therapy can help. Looking for a therapist specializing in exposure therapy? Learn more “Exposure therapy is one of my preferred methods to help clients with anxiety, fears, and phobias, mainly when traveling, flying, and confronting heights....

We have all felt vacation fatigue. Whether you were out enjoying the beach or on a more fast paced adventure, returning from vacation can feel exhausting. Perhaps you start thinking about all the emails waiting for you, or the long to-do list of things around the house. It can almost feel like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. There are a few simple things you can do to minimize thestressthat comes with returning from a vacation, and will leave you feeling much more relaxed and focused when heading back to work and personal life....

Updated on 4/13/2022 Originally developed to treatborderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT therapy) is a type ofcognitive-behavioral psychotherapy— or talk therapy — used to treat a range of mental health disorders. DBT treatment relies on the psychosocial aspects of individual therapy and tries to identify and change negative thinking patterns through a focus on building positive behavioral skills. Before consideringdialectical behavior therapy, it is important to understand how it works and who can benefit from this treatment method, as it may not be the best option for everyone....

It’s hard to get through life slump free. We all have ups and downs, and some of those downs last longer than we’d like. Enter: the slump. During a slump, you might feel unmotivated, lost, unproductive, angry, annoyed, or stuck…which can engender a whole lot of negative emotions. And, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but few aspects of life are immune to slumps.. If you don’t take action to make positive changes, you might just fall deeper and deeper into the slump, in which case it’ll be harder to pick yourself back up....

#MeToo Has Revealed the Need For Change. But one big question remains: How? The year was 1980, and feminist activist Ellen Pencehad just moved to Duluth, Minnesota. Since 1975, with the tide of the feminist movement rising across the United States , Pence had been involved with organizing against domestic violence — work she furthered with friends when they founded the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) in Duluth. When a brutal domestic violence murder shook the small community, the group sprung into action....

In our society, we place a lot of value on having an intimate relationship — a permanent romantic relationship is considered the holy grail of successful relationships. But, not everyone has a happily ever after. Long term relationships are hard work. What happens when you find yourself feeling isolated and lonely even while in one? Why Do We Need Relationships? The extent to which we actually need one another these days is up for debate, especially in an ever-more digital age, where connections change drastically every day....

During the relationship, I felt like a cardboard cutout of myself: thin, flimsy, a printed-on smile plastered on my face. After I left, I was a different person. I flinched at loud noises and the sound of footsteps behind me on the street. I cried unpredictably and often. But I was also more intuitive, more empathetic, and much stronger. I didn’t know who this new, post-abuseversion of myself was, but truth be told — I thought she was pretty rad....

Everyone is unique — that’s one of the great things about humanity. Your brother might be laid-back and easy-going, while your dad ishigh-strung and anxious. Perhaps you’re quick to argue or simple to please or a bit moodier than your friends. These differences in personality define your temperament, which — especially in a psychological sense — refers to biological differences that impact behavior or emotional response to stimuli. Your temperament is the emotional scaffolding that makes youyou....

We know the things that we have to do for ourselves — make healthier food choices, call our friends, go outside, get some exercise, disconnect fromtoxic people— but when it comes down to it, it’s easier said than done, and there’s a good reason for that. In fact, there are a few good reasons, many of which I’ve seen in my own therapy practice. We’re Scared to Fail Many times ourfear of failurekeeps us from even beginning to make change....