When we talk about emotional eating, we usually focus on food. We ask, Why am I eating when I'm not hungry? What emotion am I trying to avoid? How do I stop emotional eating? Those are important questions, but I think we're overlooking something even bigger. We've become a culture that rarely allows ourselves to experience discomfort, and the biggest reason isn't food—it’s the constant presence of our phones. Think about how many moments during the day used to be quiet: waiti

Many of us who value healthy relationships have learned that repair is essential. We know that silence creates distance, that unspoken hurts can turn into resentment, and that vulnerability creates the possibility for connection. So when someone hurts us, our instinct may be to go back. We replay the conversation. We search for better words. We imagine explaining it in a way that finally makes sense to them. We think, “Maybe they just don’t understand what happened for me. Ma

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Why do I keep ending up here?” Maybe you find yourself over-explaining your feelings, trying hard to keep others happy, avoiding conflict, or feeling responsible for someone else’s emotions. Perhaps you notice that you are drawn to relationships where you feel uncertain, unseen, or like you have to work hard to earn love and acceptance. Many people come to therapy feeling frustrated by patterns they cannot seem to change. They may under

In my practice, I often encounter a specific kind of relational friction that leaves both parties feeling isolated: the moment when one person’s milestone is met with another’s silence or deflection. Clients often come to me feeling wounded when a sibling, friend, or partner cannot seem to "show up" for their happiest moments. Conversely, I work with individuals who feel a deep, private guilt because they find themselves unable to offer the enthusiasm they know their loved on

I recently thought about going to see Jerry Seinfeld . He’s iconic. I watched his show for years—not just the reruns—and somewhere along the way I convinced myself that seeing him live must be one of the best experiences out there. After all, he performs in large venues, and tickets are sold at premium prices. The cheapest seats I could find for two were $178. That got me thinking: What else could I do with $178? Here’s the deeper question: How often are we conditioned to bel

A child often develops the belief “I am not enough” when their parent cannot tolerate the child’s emotions. When a parent retreats from setting clear, consistent limits, they are left feeling overwhelmed, angry, or exasperated—and that distress often gets directed back at the child. Instead of containing the behavior, the parent blames the child for it. The child, highly attuned to the parent’s emotional state, absorbs this tension and draws a painful conclusion: I am too mu

There are moments when the world feels like it's humming along without us. Friends are busy. Conversations feel shallow. The silence...

https://www.instagram.com/lisafogellcsw/ In today’s fast-paced world, where productivity often takes center stage, the idea of self-care...

Reducing anxiety through self-awareness begins with recognizing your emotional and physical responses to stress. Often, anxiety manifests...

There are two ways we share our concern. Complaint is a productive way which includes sharing only the specific action that is bothering...

People pleasing known as Sociotropy is defined by placing more value on relationships than independence. People pleasers desire to make...

Sometimes we are feeling rejected or unloved when we do not hear enough from our partner that they love us, want us, or are so happy to...

Accessing self is dependent on knowing what you want. It is dependent on knowing what you REALLY want. If you are not clear about this,...

Many of us wonder why when we act with compassion this behavior is not given in return. Think about it this way. If you are available...

Without any type of practice on values, they can quickly become unbalanced or neglected leading to painful communication with our...

Help, I Married Someone Just Like my Parents! By Lisa Fogel , Licensed Clinical Social Worker 6.4k Reads Updated: 31 Mar, 2023 Often...

December 12, 2023 Good morning. I have been a mental health couselor for over 25 years. I find that my happiest clients use self care in...