When we run up against difficult emotions, one of the places I find that people get most tripped up is expecting that there is a certain way that one should feel. And, taking this further, that often translates into “There’s something wrong with me that I’m feeling/or not feeling this way or that.”
All too often, I’ve had patients cry in my office and apologize for doing so (as if crying is bad, a sign of weakness or something to be avoided).
Continue Reading on Psychology Today
Back in the day when I used to run triathlons, I discovered something powerful that helped me get through in the face of physical challenge. It wasn’t just my training but the encouragement from the spectators and the other racers that helped me find the stamina to keep on going. The energy from those around me gave me the strength to do something that would otherwise have seemed nearly daunting.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that this true for emotional challenges as well.
Continue Reading on Greater Good Magazine
I’ve had a lot of time for reflection in my long car rides back and forth to CT to visit my dad over these recent months, as his health has declined precipitously. I’ve been struck by the very physical impact of sadness and loss. It has not only shown up as a felt sense in my body (e.g., heaviness in my heart, sinking at times in the pit of my stomach), but has consumed a good amount of energy and mental/emotional space (fatigue at times, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion for no apparent reason). I have been blessed to share nearly sixty years with my dad, and he has been blessed with a long and vibrant life. Still, there is profound sadness and grief at the end of life that is unavoidable, palpable, and sometimes overwhelming.
Continue Reading on Psychology Today
© Copyright 2025 by Beth Kurland, Ph.D. | Privacy Policy & Terms
Build By Freelancer Coder.