How to Deal With Toxic People & Protect Yourself

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How to Deal With Toxic People & Protect Yourself

 

Learning how to deal with toxic people is not an easy task. Toxic people can cause self-doubt and other problems in your personal and professional life. The closer the person is to you, their words and behavior will have a bigger impact on you.

When discussing toxic people, most people mention ex-boyfriends, old friends, and relatives they meet at family gatherings. How do you know whether a person is toxic or not? What can you do to protect yourself from a toxic person?

 

How to Identify a Toxic Person

If you know someone who is difficult and causes problems, they may be toxic. These people may stress and discomfort you and others while causing emotional and physical harm. 

Toxicity is not a mental illness. However, a personality disorder or other underlying psychological issues may be the source of toxic behavior. These include posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders such as narcissistic, bipolar, histrionic, and antisocial.

 

Inconsistency

Experiencing both positive and negative moments is a natural part of being human. However, a toxic person is rarely reliable, and they act in unpredictable ways. They never fulfill their promises or responsibilities. You never know where you stand with them or what they’re going to do next. Since toxic people are inconsistent, it can be hard to feel stable or secure in a relationship. 

 

Seeking Attention

Have you noticed if this person constantly needs something from you? Toxic people always look for emotional support, whether through persistent phone calls, messages, or visits to your home. They will ask so much from you while they only provide a little in return. 

 

Don’t Respect Boundaries

A person is toxic if you have repeatedly shared your boundaries with them, and they just cannot respect them. Trust and the capacity to respect limits are the cornerstones of healthy partnerships. For toxic people, that is just not an option.

 

Using Manipulation to Get What They Want

Are you feeling manipulated? To get what they want, toxic people take advantage of others around them. This might include lying, twisting the facts, exaggerating, or omitting facts to influence your behavior or opinion. Even if it means causing harm to others, they will stop at nothing.

 

How to Protect Yourself from Toxic People

The most important thing to understand is that you cannot change a toxic person. That is how most of us fall into these patterns. We expect that if we do this or say that, the person will become aware of their impact on others. A toxic person will not change because of others. They prioritize taking care of themselves above all else, and often they will not question hurting others in the process.

That is why it’s important to learn how to deal with toxic people and protect yourself from them.

 

Confront Them

Don’t keep quiet and wait for someone to change their toxic behavior on their own. Point out their contradictions or false promises. Express your disapproval of their actions. This will show them that you are not naive and that you will not allow this behavior. However, be sure to confront them and not try to convince them, as there is a huge difference between these two. 

 

Suggest Seeking Help

You can’t help them, yet others can. You can direct them to helpful resources or suggest finding a therapist. Therapy can help them understand the causes of their actions and give them more effective coping mechanisms. However, if they refuse to acknowledge that they need help, don’t be surprised. Most toxic people will not be aware of how their behavior is affecting other people because they don’t care about it enough to think about it. 

 

Establish Clear Boundaries

Establishing boundaries for the relationship you have with this toxic person will safeguard you, even if it could make you uncomfortable at the beginning. For instance, tell them that you won’t see them again until they stop drinking or using drugs. Don’t forget that the toxic person in your life will not be pleased with the boundaries you have set and will likely resist and attempt to instill guilt in you.

 

Control Responses

You have no control over other people, but you do have control over how you react to their actions. A toxic person frequently tries to elicit a negative reaction from you. Refrain from giving them it. It might be beneficial to rehearse your approach to a specific scenario in advance. Don’t let them control you or hold yourself responsible for their actions.

 

Prioritize Yourself

Maintaining your mental and physical well-being is crucial. Focus on wholesome and encouraging interactions with other people who are not toxic. If you can’t avoid interacting with this person, make sure all you do and say is in your best interest. Lastly, if it’s affecting you too much, consider talking to a mental health expert to learn to set limits and understand your position in this relationship.

 

In Final Words

It might be difficult to deal with toxic people, yet you can handle these circumstances more skillfully if you have support from your therapist. To manage a toxic relationship and enhance emotional resilience, professional therapists provide tailored advice and coping mechanisms. 

Additionally, whether online or in person, an intern or coach can offer you insight and help you with advice. By using these resources, you may keep a more positive outlook and create useful coping strategies. This can also help you become more aware of the reason you’re staying close to this toxic person and gives you the strength to walk away from them and live a more fulfilled life. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Topics to Discuss With Your Boyfriend Before Marriage

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Topics to Discuss With Your Boyfriend Before Marriage

 

If you’re planning for the next big step in your relationship, there are certain topics to discuss with your boyfriend before marriage. Marriage and living with someone are the first two big milestones for most relationships. However, we are often so over the moon about spending our lifetime with this one special person that we forget there are certain challenges waiting for us along the way. 

This article will not focus on external events that can happen to couples and married folks. Instead, we’ll talk about the situations you can impact, such as important life decisions you will be taking together. Learning how the other side of the relationship feels about certain topics will allow you to get to know them truly. This way, you will be more confident in taking the next step and knowing you’re doing it with the right person.

 

Kids or No Kids?

For some, having children is the pinnacle of their lives, while for others, it is something they would rather avoid at all costs. The problem is that we often assume that others share our beliefs, especially if we are in love with them. 

Although you still don’t feel ready to have kids, it’s important to discuss it with your partner. You don’t have to put a deadline for having kids, yet it would make sense to know whether you’re both on the same page. Imagine spending five years together to realize your partner never wanted to have kids; for you, it’s becoming a priority. To avoid this, talk openly to your partner. Ask them if they see themselves in the future as parents, how they feel about parenting and anything else you find valuable. 

 

Rent or Buy?

Do you know that most marriages end because of finances? One example of a clear financial situation is defining your goals together.

Do you plan to get married and buy your own place in the near future? Discuss how much you should save monthly or annually to achieve this goal smoothly.

For those without immediate plans, ensure your partner understands your perspective and feelings on the matter.

Being open to their suggestions can help you decide what is best for your current situation. Make sure to consider your options from time to time, as your financial situation may change and your rent may rise.

 

What Are Your Deal Breakers? 

You can live with someone for years without being aware of their deal breakers. Invite your partner for a heart-to-heart conversation and show curiosity for things they don’t like. Avoid being judgemental.

You can even decide to take a few days to think about it and come up to each other once you’ve made a list of deal breakers. If some things on the list are an issue, make sure to find an alternative solution that works for both of you.

 

Family Matters

Whether you’re both very close to your families or not, it’s important to determine how to deal with any situation that involves your family. It’s best to discuss where you spend your holidays, how often you’ll both visit each other’s family, and topics to discuss with your boyfriend about inviting family members over before any complications arise.

If you feel tension with any of your partner’s family members, it’s best to address this as soon as possible. If you are afraid that your partner might not understand your point of view, make sure to explain to them you are looking for solutions and not trying to talk bad about someone they care about.

 

Conflict Resolution

In every relationship or marriage, there will be conflict. It’s completely normal that you disagree on certain things. However, it’s crucial to know how each of you prefers to resolve conflicts. One of you might want to talk right away, while the other one might feel the need to take some time to think first. 

There is no wrong way. What matters is the will to solve the conflict. If you can’t find a solution, consider talking to a relationship or marriage therapist who can provide you with efficient conflict resolution techniques. 

 

Time Alone

Find a method to accommodate each other’s need for solitude. Everyone needs it occasionally, even if it’s only a little bit. By understanding how much time you both need to unwind and how long it takes before one of you feels lonely. 

You should also find out what time alone means to each other. For some, it can mean going on a long bike ride. For others, it might just mean reading a book or watching TV in a separate part of the house.

 

Love Languages

Knowing and comprehending how the person you love displays and needs to feel love is crucial. If they express their love for you with little gifts and you for them through words, it’s important to recognize this so that you both know how to show each other how much you value them. Gifts, touch, acts, and words are the four primary languages of love. 

You will have a much better understanding of how to love each other if you talk about which one is more important to you. Asking, “When do you feel most loved by me?” before marriage is a simple method for doing this.

 

Chores and Responsibilities

When it comes to chores and responsibilities, negotiation is essential. If you’re honest and direct about it, it will prevent any disputes or animosity later. Be upfront and reach a mutually beneficial deal if you detest doing the trash and enjoy doing the dishes.

Take into account all the variables while examining the division of labor in your household. For example, who works more hours? Who spends more time at home? Whose employment offers greater flexibility? If there are chores you both hate doing, you can determine which days they are your partner’s responsibility and which days you’re going to have to take care of them. 

 

Conclusion

Relationships and marriage take work. There will always be topics to discuss with your boyfriend, yet certain topics should be addressed before making big changes together. Knowing what each of you thinks about these topics will allow you to get to know each other better and be able to give each other what you need in difficult moments.

Don’t forget to reach out for additional support if you feel overwhelmed with certain situations. Marriage therapy can help you both feel more connected and see things from a different perspective.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Fear of Being Alone: Do You Really Need a Partner? 

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Fear of Being Alone: Do You Really Need a Partner? 

 

Experiencing the fear of being alone is more common than you think. Though coping mechanisms vary from person to person, this fear may be experienced by men and women of all ages. One person might engage in a series of superficial flings with different people. While another might decide to stop going on dates to avoid getting hurt. 

There is no doubt that this fear can have a significant impact on your life, whether positive or negative. Instead of jumping into tactics to meet new people and never experience this fear again, we’ve decided to take a look at this fear closely to understand what’s so scary about it and what we can do to soothe ourselves when experiencing it. 

 

Why Do We Fear Being Alone? 

Humans are social beings. We are born into our families, we go to school with our peers, and then we socially engage in groups that share our interests or work in the same environment as we do. From an early age, we are looking for a place to belong and are adjusting to different situations in order to be like everyone else. During all this time, we’re rarely taught the importance of being alone.

Alone time is crucial for concentration, creativity, analysis, and so much more. Only when alone are we truly able to think about our decisions, needs, and desires without being interrupted or impacted by someone else. So, what is so scary about being alone? Do we fear being alone just because we’re not used to it? Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that. 

As it is with everything, whenever we’re not able to mirror what we see the society around us doing, we feel like we don’t belong. That can lead to stress and anxiety and put additional pressure on yourself. For instance, if all your friends and family members are in long relationships and marriages. You will feel the need to do the same more than a person surrounded by many single friends. 

Besides that, your set of beliefs will be a major determining factor of whether or not you feel the fear of being alone. Certain cultures are more accepting of the idea of people in their adult age being single. While others will put high expectations on young people to get married and have children as soon as possible. 

Lastly, there’s also your personal experience. If you grew up always being alone while your parents were working hard. You might feel a strong urge to fill this void when you grew up. On the other hand, if you were born into a big family, maybe spending time alone was just not possible. So you don’t feel comfortable staying alone now that you’re an adult. 

 

Help! I Feel Alone Again

It’s crucial to differentiate between being alone and feeling alone. Many people feel comfortable being alone in their apartment or going on a vacation. It’s not the same as feeling alone. When you feel alone, it’s an intense feeling of having no one around you. You might feel alone because you haven’t been in a meaningful relationship or because you’re with someone who is unable to meet your emotional needs. 

So, if you feel alone, regardless of your situation, what can you do? The good news is that fearing something doesn’t require a detailed strategy with actions to eliminate that fear in a certain amount of time. Feeling fear doesn’t require you to think about the future to solve it. It requires you to stay in the present.

When you feel alone next time and want that feeling to stop, ask yourself what you can do with that fear. Maybe you can journal about it, paint it on your white walls, express it through your outfit, sing it under the shower, or meditate in silence. Most of our fears result from the unknown. If you get to know your fear, maybe it will not be so scary anymore. 

There are numerous ways you can have a dialogue with your fear, most of which will not require words. If you love cooking, why not prepare a meal that you need when in a state like this? If you are skilled in communication, why not talk to your fear? Give it human-like characteristics, sit it next to you, and ask it questions. You might be surprised by what comes out of that exercise. 

 

Is It Okay to Be Alone? 

Anything that makes you feel positive is more than okay. The most important thing in life is to remind ourselves that all decisions we take should be based on what we need and not what is expected of us. You don’t have to find yourself a partner and start a family just to meet someone else’s expectations. If you feel fulfilled by the life you chose, there’s no reason to doubt it for a second.

However, if you feel the need to meet someone and it’s not happening. It’s completely fine to try different approaches to get a different result. The best piece of advice for someone in this situation is to consider talking to a therapist. When you create space to talk about your emotional needs, you will be able to understand more clearly what you truly want. 

A therapist can help you resolve any traumas that happened in the past and might become more evident once you start a relationship. Also, you will learn to set healthy boundaries in therapy and discover who you are without expectations conditioning you to be someone else. 

 

Final Words

If you fear being alone, it would be a beneficial idea to share it with a friend you trust. Sometimes, our fears become a lot more insignificant when we talk about them with others. This might also help you realize you’re not the only one feeling this way. Being vulnerable in front of people you trust can bring you even closer together. 

Consider therapy if you want your situation to change in the near future or if you wish to understand why you fear being alone. Finally, don’t run away from that fear. If it’s here, get to know it. Don’t forget that what we don’t know has more control over us than the things we do know. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Tips on How to Know If You Have Anxiety or Depression?

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Tips on How to Know If You Have Anxiety or Depression?

 

This video is here to remind you that you are not alone, and to help you understand how to know if you have anxiety or depression.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health challenges, and it’s important to understand their signs so you can take the first steps toward feeling better. While they can overlap, they’re distinct conditions with unique symptoms.

Anxiety often involves excessive worry, racing thoughts, physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms, and a feeling of being on edge. It might make you avoid situations, struggle to sleep, or feel constantly overwhelmed.

Depression, on the other hand, is characterized by persistent sadness, lack of energy, a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, and difficulty concentrating. You might feel hopeless, withdrawn, or like even small tasks are exhausting.

If you’re unsure which applies to you—or if it might be both—this video will help clarify things. I’ll break down the signs of anxiety and depression in greater detail, help you tell the difference, and offer actionable steps you can take to start your journey toward healing.

Stay until the end for tips on how to access support and tools that can truly make a difference.

 

 

🌟 Start your journey here with the Quick Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Stress webinar 🌟 

quick ways to reduce anxiety and stress

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Find Out How to Get Rid of FOMO Once and For All

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Find Out How to Get Rid of FOMO Once and For All

 

Want to learn how to get rid of FOMO, also known as fear of missing out? With social media and all these different trends, it’s quite expected that most of us will have this feeling that we’re missing out on life. There are endless photos of perfect vacations, trained bodies, expensive clothes, and new restaurants and bars in your city. All of this creates the feeling that our lives are not as full as we’d like them to be and that there’s constantly something to do, somewhere to be, and photos to be taken. 

In this article, we plan to explore deeper what this fear of missing out is, why it appears, and how to get rid of it so it doesn’t affect your life. 

 

What is FOMO?

Over the past few decades, FOMO, or the fear of missing out, has grown all too common. It is a familiar experience for many of us. FOMO directly affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being and is closely linked to our sense of self-worth and self-esteem.

If you believe that other people are having more fun, trying new things, or having better lives than you, that is the fear of missing out. Although it usually manifests when you see or sense these traits in someone you love and are close to, parasocial connections can also give rise to it. Seeing strangers you follow on social media accomplishing amazing things you wish you could achieve can leave a lasting impression on your self-esteem.

It’s crucial to state that social media isn’t the cause of FOMO, yet it is probably the most critical factor. Anyone, anywhere, at any moment, can experience FOMO. An athlete may feel pressured by the idea that they can’t dedicate the necessary time or meet the high expectations of others when they often observe someone they like working out four or five days a week in the gym.

When someone who appreciates reading sees how many books someone else has read in a year, it might make them feel inadequate in intelligence, education, or ability to continue reading at that level.

 

How FOMO Feels

FOMO is more than simply a sense of isolation from events you want to participate in. It may be a combination of different emotions:

  • Stress and anxiety: You might feel stressed or anxious about not contributing enough, being absent, or missing something. There may seem to be an ongoing strain to stay up, to do everything, and to be everywhere.
  • Low self-esteem: It’s easy to start feeling like your life doesn’t measure up when you’re always comparing the highlights of other people’s lives to your own. Experiencing this might cause you to perceive and appreciate yourself less.
  • Social pressure: To prevent the feeling of missing out, FOMO may force you to attend events or participate in activities in which you have no real interest.
  • Unhappiness: Being preoccupied with what you think you’re missing out on might cause you to lose sight of the enjoyment you are truly experiencing. Being unhappy may be sustained by concentrating on what you need rather than appreciating what you have.

 

Getting Rid of FOMO

Changing your perspective and how you engage with the outside world is key to overcoming FOMO. When we’re going through a difficult moment and feel more sensitive, FOMO can occasionally be increased. In other cases, we may not even be aware of the cause of our FOMO. No matter what the cause of your FOMO may be, understanding how it affects you can benefit your mental health.  

 

1.Stop Following Certain Instagram Accounts

We all have those accounts we check in to see where they have traveled, what they have bought, how they have dressed, and so on. Being curious about other people’s lives has its downside, and that’s constant comparison. You can either unfollow or block such accounts and instead decide to follow motivational accounts that help you bring out the best in yourself. 

 

2.Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Meditating and practicing mindfulness can be effective strategies for maintaining present-focused attention. Regular practice can help you educate your mind to stop thinking about what other people are doing, which will eventually help you experience less FOMO.

 

3.Setting Realistic Expectations

Treat yourself with kindness. Despite appearances on social media, nobody’s life is flawless. Recognize that you don’t have to have everything and set reasonable goals for your life. Don’t compare your goals with other people’s goals. You might want to have more free time to dedicate yourself to a hobby you like, so these goals don’t have to be measurable; they just have to make you happy. 

 

4.Find Real Connections

Spend time in person with friends and family instead of only communicating with them online to create genuine ties. You may feel less anxious about missing out on other things and more fulfilled due to real interactions.

 

5.Celebrate Your Achievements 

Honor your accomplishments. Spend some time thinking back on your own successes and the things that make you happy. This lessens the effect of FOMO on your life and aids in putting things into perspective.

 

Focus on Your Life

It’s impossible not to compare your life to others. However, you can reduce it to an amount that does not make you feel unworthy, stressed, or sad. Once you start focusing on your life, needs, and wants more, you will have fewer reasons to compare yourself to others. You will also notice how your life feels more fulfilled with things that make you content instead of chasing what others are chasing. 

Many of these management tools are within your grasp on your own, yet occasionally, things may get a little more complicated, particularly if you don’t know where to begin. Our team of therapists can help you manage FOMO and make sure they’re pursuing their ambitions offline rather than online.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

American Expats: After Election Decisions

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American Expats: After Election Decisions

 

For the past month, all we have heard and talked about has been elections, and this has led to an outburst in American expats. Politics is so much more than just a presidential campaign; it affects every aspect of our lives. We will be focusing on the aftermath of the recent elections here.

There is one trend that’s noticeable among people who are unhappy with the results of the presidential elections this year, and that’s that it is likely that the number of American expats will grow in 2025. 

Post-Election Blues Lead to Big Life Decisions For Some

After the United States elected a new president, innumerable social media posts expressed concern for the country’s future within a single day. Among these publications, a new trend was rising that will certainly have an impact on America’s expat community worldwide. 

For the time being, Americans are taking matters into their own hands and searching for a new home. In almost every online expat community, American citizens ask questions about the quality of life in countries they are interested in. Some are researching to move to South America, while others are exploring the option to move to Europe or Asia. Regardless of the destination, they all have one thing in common: they no longer want to live in the United States.

All this goes beyond being unsatisfied with the outcome of the elections. Soon-to-be American expats are also willing to change their lives entirely and start living abroad on their own or with their families. If this resonates with you, we want to offer support and guidance. 

Moving to another country or continent is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. Whatever your motivation is, starting over in a foreign country has its obstacles, risks, and other things you’ll need to consider. 

 

Should I Stay or Should I Go? 

Before you buy your one-way ticket and start packing your bags, make sure this is the right decision at the moment. It is one thing to be upset about the impact of the presidential election on your individual life and the life of your community, yet it is quite another to completely change your life.  

Even if you live abroad, you’re still American. In other words, you’ll still be able to see and hear what’s happening in your home country. If you have family or relatives who will stay in the US, you might even feel more stressed because you’ll be so far away from them. Of course, the best advice here is to stop following any news outlet that informs you about politics and instead talk to your family and friends to hear about more personal experiences that have nothing to do with the political agenda. 

Don’t forget to plan accordingly, especially when it comes to finances. You might decide to move to a more affordable country. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t need money. Have you checked with your company if it’s okay if you work from another country? If you quit, do you have enough savings to cover the costs during the first few months? 

If you plan to move there, have you researched the job market there and checked if your knowledge and skills are in demand? 

In addition to the cost, other considerations include the time zone, safety, and the language used in the nation. All of this will have an effect on your life, and potential complications may arise if you are not adequately prepared. Don’t forget: you’re going to feel better about your life!

 

How to Choose a Country 

American expats have so many countries to choose from, and as much as this sounds amazing, it often makes your decision-making process even more difficult. Unless you plan to move every three to six months, there are certain things you should go through to find the best country for yourself. This way, you will be able to build a fulfilled life outside your home country, connect with like-minded people, and feel like you belong there.

When choosing a country, ask yourself these questions:

  • What are your best visa options for the country you want to move to? 
  • Is the time difference an issue because of your personal or professional life?
  • Do you prefer a hotter or colder climate?
  • Do you have a health condition that requires access to certain medical specialists or care?
  • Is there a culture you’re interested in exploring and immersing yourself in? 
  • Are you planning to buy a property soon, or you’ll rent for a longer period?
  • How proficient are you at learning new languages?
  • Are you interested in pursuing educational opportunities in that country?
  • Do you prefer working for American companies, or are you open to seeking jobs in a new country? 

 

You’ve Made Your Decision—Now What?

If you already know where you want to live, all that’s left to do is to end with the old and start preparing for the new. Think about the bureaucracy that you have to do before leaving the country. Are you planning to cancel certain credit cards? Will you cancel subscriptions you no longer need? Do you have to notify your landlord that you’re leaving the apartment soon?

Besides taking care of the administrative side of your life, don’t forget to celebrate your big decision with people who are there for you. Invite your family or friends for dinner and share all your existing plans with them. Knowing you have support is crucial when making such a huge move in your life.

Also, start preparing for your travels and new life. Prepare a list of things you need to take with you. A helpful piece of advice is also to prepare a list of things you need to research. Maybe you want to check how your tax situation will change once you live in a foreign country, or you’ll want to check which cities other American expats live in. 

 

Final Words

If there’s no doubt about the idea of moving after elections, go after it! Life is too short to wonder whether you should or shouldn’t do something that’s important to you. That said, do your best to prepare well. Even if you stay at your old job, there are still a lot of challenges waiting for you in this new country you’ll soon start calling home. As long as you make it as easy and enjoyable for you, there’s no doubt that you’ll make the most of it. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Why Am I So Angry All the Time?

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Why Am I So Angry All the Time?

 

You should read this article if you have been wondering, “Why am I so angry all the time?” Even though you may think you are the only one going through this, many others are going through the same thing. They constantly feel angry, sometimes for no apparent reason. 

Instead of blaming you for feeling angry, it would make more sense to stop and have an honest conversation with your anger. As we know that this is something that feels unusual, we’ve decided to write an article dedicated to all people who feel angry all the time and don’t know what to do about it. Continue reading as we’ll explain what anger is, why it appears, what its purpose is, and what to do when you’re overwhelmed with this uncomfortable emotion. 

What Is Anger? 

When something goes wrong or someone wrongs you, you will probably experience anger. This is a very intense emotion, followed usually by stress and frustration. It’s important to say that all human beings experience anger and that it’s a completely natural emotion. Just like sadness, happiness, and fear, anger has its reasons for appearing on the surface. You might feel it in a challenging or stressful situation, whether it’s related to work, family, relationships, or something else. Anger often appears in moments of injustice or when we feel like we’ve been deprived of something. 

Anger only becomes an issue when it manifests excessively and starts interfering with day-to-day functioning and interpersonal relationships. The level of anger can vary, ranging from mild irritation to fury. It may occasionally be exaggerated or unreasonable. It might be challenging to control your emotions in certain situations, and you might act differently than you usually would. Anger could mean you lose control over your words and behavior, which might result in hurting someone else. 

Sings of Anger

Our bodies undergo certain physiological and biochemical changes when we are angry. The following are some examples of these changes your body may experience: 

  • Energy boost
  • Elevated blood pressure 
  • Increase in hormones (noradrenaline and adrenaline) 
  • Increase in body temperature  
  • Heightened tension in the muscles 

It’s important to note that everyone experiences anger differently, and we all display it in various ways. When you’re upset, you may exhibit the following:

  • Raising your voice
  • Clenching your fists
  • Fowning 
  • Tightness in your jaw area
  • Trembling 
  • Rapid heartbeats 
  • Sweating 

What Makes Me Angry?

There is nothing wrong with experiencing all the emotions. However, suppose you’re noticing that the anger is starting to impact your life. In that case, it’s time to do something about it, whether it’s destroying your romantic relationship or making your friends distant from you. That said, even if nobody around you is aware that you’re angry all the time, if you’re feeling like this most of the time, you shouldn’t ignore it.

As much as it’s true that anger is a strong emotion that often overwhelms you so much that you’re struggling to stay rational, it’s essential to start recognizing your triggers. What triggers your anger? These triggers can include things like your boss criticizing you, hearing your partner yelling at you, misplacing your phone or keys, etc. 

Once you start recognizing these triggers, it might help to create a plan for each of these triggers. For instance, if you keep losing your things, you might want to create a space for these things and try your best to leave them there. Keep in mind that thinking of these tricks will not make the anger go away. The idea of identifying triggers is to be able to analyze these situations and see what’s underneath them. People tend to be angry because they’re not satisfied with their life choices, are afraid to lose control over the most critical aspects of their lives, or are feeling sad.

Although sadness and anger are two individual emotions, often they are two sides of the same coin. Feeling angry provides us with a sense of control. It makes us feel like we’re stronger than when we’re crying. That is why many people who have lost someone important in their lives experience more anger than sadness. 

What To Do With My Anger?

We all experience anger occasionally, and most people can find healthy methods to vent it. Exercise is an excellent way of releasing anger and stress. However, if you find yourself wondering, why am I so angry all the time? and notice that anger is present in your everyday life, seeking therapy could be beneficial. Therapy is the most popular treatment for excessive anger for a reason.

If you struggle to pinpoint the feelings and situations that cause your rage, talking to a mental health expert could be extremely helpful. Besides teaching you efficient methods to deal with anger, they can also help you uncover the underlying problem. Sometimes, anger appears years after we’ve experienced a traumatic event, making it difficult to connect the emotion to the specific situation.

It is crucial to learn coping mechanisms for anger, whether alone or with the help of an expert. When anger rules our lives, it can lead to issues at work and harm relationships with loved ones.

Meditation significantly improves one’s ability to regulate emotions. Simple techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, are great places to start. When faced with a situation that makes you angry, think before you react. Try taking a few deep breaths or counting to help yourself relax and feel more at ease.

Finding Another Way

The most important thing is to not suppress your anger. The best method to deal with your anger is to express it when you feel it’s healthy. Suppressing the emotion will likely result in an unexpected, explosive explosion. So, instead of yelling at people in your life, why not journal how you feel? This can help you express your emotions without hurting yourself or others. 

If you feel hopeless, seek a therapist in your area or online. With the help of therapy, you will notice how the intensity of your anger is reduced over time, and you’ll probably learn a thing or two about the real cause of this strong emotion. A competent therapist will help you find a balance between all the emotions and support you while you explore what works best for you. 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Plastic Surgery Addiction: How to Stop On Time?

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Plastic Surgery Addiction: When to Stop?

 

A fixation with altering the way you look through surgery is a behavioral disorder known as plastic surgery addiction. People who are addicted to plastic surgery invest a great deal of time and money in a variety of procedures, some of which may be risky. An addiction can cause lasting bodily damage, financial burden, and declining mental health.

Although the majority of people who opt for plastic surgeries are women. There is an increase in interest among men as well. Here, we’re not talking about one or two corrective plastic surgeries people decided to do to feel better about their appearance. Being addicted to plastic surgery comes with a set of risks that can have a significant impact on your life. 

 

What Is Plastic Surgery Addiction?

A person may develop an addiction to plastic surgery if they have had several cosmetic operations done and are never happy or content with the way they look. You might spend a lot of time, money, and resources on operations if you have an addiction to plastic surgery. Additionally, since you are never satisfied with the outcome, it can make you return for more.

The signs of plastic surgery addiction are similar to those of behavioral addictions. However, they cannot be diagnosed. Despite the risks, those who are addicted to plastic surgery keep getting cosmetic operations, and they ignore advice from their family and friends. In other words, your family might encourage you to stop plastic surgeries. Yet their opinion doesn’t make you change your mind.

That is why plastic surgery addiction is often connected with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

A person with body dysmorphic disorder, also known as body dysmorphia, spends a lot of time thinking about their looks. Although body dysmorphia can affect people of any age, young adults are the most likely to experience it. 

Over time, a person with this mindset often becomes obsessed with plastic surgery. Which has an impact on many aspects of their lives. They are often focused on finding the money, scheduling, recuperating, and exploring new things that can make them look better. These procedures precede other responsibilities, relationships, and necessities in their lives, which makes it even dangerous. 

 

Signs of Plastic Surgery Addiction

Family members, friends, and romantic partners could be able to identify a plastic surgery addict. In other cases, the symptoms could be more subtle and harmful. More obvious signs of obsessive cosmetic surgery include persistent physical alterations or an excessive amount of time spent recuperating from the procedure. Looking for doctors, treatments, customer testimonials, and photos of before and after are the most common signs of plastic surgery addiction. Especially if the person is doing that right after recovering from surgery. 

The following are some typical signs of a plastic surgery addiction:

  • Interest in numerous procedures 
  • Choosing a physician without being interested in their training or qualifications
  • Experiencing irrational expectations regarding post-operative sensations
  • Believing in the potential rewards of an operation, such as social acceptance, love, happiness, and financial prosperity
  • Ignoring responsibilities at work, school, or home
  • Having financial issues as a result of the surgeries
  • Having relationship problems because of your prioritization of your body
  • Searching for alternative medical professionals in case one is unwilling to do the process
  • Feeling that some of your physical parts require fixing

Treatment Options for Plastic Surgery Addiction 

Those who are addicted to plastic surgery might have a difficult time accepting that they have an addiction. This is mostly because they are very much focused on improving their image of themselves, although this image is often unrealistic. 

When a person admits they are addicted to plastic surgery, the best thing to do is to find a therapist to help them understand better why this addiction developed in the first place. There is so much more behind the need to look and feel better. A therapist can help people with this addiction to accept themselves as they are and stop chasing the unattainable. 

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Surgery addiction disorder patients who receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can identify how their ideas, feelings, and behaviors interact to influence their behavior. CBT entails recognizing and combating skewed mental processes that might be a factor in compulsive behaviors related to plastic surgeries. One can be more prepared to meet the temptation of having another operation when these harmful thought patterns are swapped out for more optimistic and practical ones, which will eventually improve one’s quality of life.

 

12-Step Programs

A mental health expert could also advise enrolling in a 12-step program to create a network of support for rehabilitation. For those battling addiction of any sort, 12-step support groups offer a secure setting where people may talk about their challenges and encourage one another to gain and keep control over bad behaviors.

 

Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized any particular drugs to treat addiction to plastic surgery. Nonetheless, antidepressants may be able to lessen the symptoms of worry and compulsive behaviors in some situations where mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder, are present. 

 

Plastic Surgery and Mental Health 

Plastic surgery has a variety of effects on mental health, many of which are unintended. Although the main goal of plastic surgery is to help patients restore their self-esteem. Several studies have shown that this isn’t always the case. If you or someone close to you has done several procedures and is still thinking about doing more. It would be wise to seek a mental health expert. 

Talking to someone about your insecurities or the motivations for pursuing plastic surgeries can help you find peace and accept yourself just the way you are. A therapist could also help you understand what caused these insecurities in the first place and how to ensure they no longer control your life. For instance, if one of your parents was really critical of your looks, you might feel like you’re never going to reach that perfection, which would lead to them accepting you. A therapist would help you understand that you no longer need their acceptance. Loving yourself is the path to happiness, not plastic surgery. 

 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

How to Break Up With a Friend

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How to Break Up With a Friend

 

All breakups are complex, yet knowing how to break up with a friend might be the toughest. There are endless reasons why you would want to break up with your friend, from losing shared interests to feeling betrayed by something they did. Because you share a history and likely have complicated feelings, breaking up with a friend is difficult. 

If you’re confident that ending the friendship is correct, continue reading to learn valuable guidelines and tips to avoid a messy situation. 

 

Reasons to Break Up with Your Friend

Knowing why you no longer want to be friends with a certain person can help you make decisions about how to break up with them. This can help you move on more quickly after breaking up with a friend.

As we already said, there are several reasons why you would want to break up with your friend, such as: 

  • Changes: You no longer attend the same school, work together, or engage with each other the way you used to. 
  • Mental health: Your friend is dishonest or unkind, putting more effort into tearing you down than putting you back together. Or you don’t get as much pleasure out of the friendship as you once did.
  • Conflict: One or more situations in which you have different opinions or values strongly impact your friendship. 
  • Toxicity: Your friend’s behavior, word, or energy is becoming harmful, and you don’t feel positive around them.

 

Of course, these are the main reasons why people often break their friendship. Each relationship between two people is unique. If you’re certain you want to break up with your friend, knowing the reason will help you and them move on and learn from this experience. 

 

Before You End It…

If you’re not sure whether to end the connection, spend some time talking to your friend about your issues. Sometimes, having an open discussion with your friend about a challenging circumstance or event can restore trust. 

If you continue to feel uneasy about the relationship despite your best efforts to speak with your friend, it could be time to end it. If they don’t share the same perspective, remind yourself of the reasons for considering this breakup. Most importantly, don’t forget to give yourself time to feel confident about this decision and communicate it clearly to your friend.

 

Best Way to Break Up With a Friend

Breaking up with a friend can be very difficult. Even though you may not want to, you know you should let them go. Even though you know the other person would be hurt, you must consider thinking about yourself first.  

A friend breakup can significantly impact you, especially if you’ve been friends for a long time and given them much of your time, affection, and effort. Is there any way to terminate things amicably? Of course! However, the way you decide to break up with your friend will set the tone of the breakup, so be careful how you talk. 

 

Reflecting on Values

Start by considering your values and how the friendship no longer meets your needs to start the conversation. For instance, you might need to focus on extra income, and you have to tell your friend there is less free time for them. You cannot work less because you need money and feel disappointed that your friend doesn’t get that. They probably need a friend who can be there for them more often than you can, so it makes sense to part ways. 

Another common example is when you’ve just started a romantic relationship and want to dedicate your free time to that special person. If your friend doesn’t understand that and is causing additional pressure on you, it’s not the right friendship for you—or them. You have different values and needs regarding friendships, so ending it is a pretty reasonable decision. 

 

Talk from Your Perspective

Breakups are a consequence of not being able to find common ground. That is why it’s important to talk from your perspective instead of offering dialogue and being curious about how they feel about it. To do so, use “I” statements. 

For instance, you can say, “In the past few months, I feel like our conversations are not as captivating as they used to be. I love talking about new ideas and inspiring things, so focusing only on the negative side of everything is not my thing.” This way, you are setting clear expectations and not accusing your friend of not giving you what you want, which happens in breakup conversations. 

 

Set Your Boundaries

When the conversation ends, let the other person know you would prefer a defined boundary or space or terminate all communication altogether. So, besides letting your friend know the reason for the breakup, make sure you communicate the boundary you want to set. 

This one might be difficult. Asking them to stop texting or calling you might sound harsh, yet it’s natural. After expressing your reasons for ending the friendship, it’s only natural that things will change. Although you might feel uncomfortable addressing these things, it’s important to protect yourself and stay true to your decision. 

 

Post-Friendship Breakup: Taking Care of Yourself 

Even if you were the one to break up with someone, the pain after a breakup is quite common. You will also likely mourn the loss of friendship, even if it was the proper decision to end it. It can be much more complicated if you still have shared connections or are in a larger friend group. However, remember that ending a relationship is perfectly fine when your needs aren’t met and your emotions are wounded or ignored.

When the time is right, inform your other friends of your decision to cut ties with your shared friend and establish any ground rules for discussions. You do not need to share the specifics with your other friends, even though they may be interested in knowing. 

Remember that you are not the only person going through a friendship breakup. Take this opportunity to focus on your healing and properly care for yourself.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

 

Virginity Is a Social Construct: It’s Time to Break Free

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Virginity Is a Social Construct: It’s Time to Break Free

 

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about whether or not virginity is a social construct. For centuries, the idea of being a virgin until marriage has been sold to young girls and women all around the world as something crucial for their love life, happiness, and personal value. Why was—and still is—virginity only an expectation for women? After all, if straight men were not expected to be virgins until marriage, who were all of them having sex with? Who gave men so much power to destroy a woman’s reputation just because they had sex together? A man was just a man, and a woman wasn’t a virgin anymore. 

It’s not so much who gave men so much power; the real question is why. Why were women who had sexual relations before marriage unwanted or shamed by their families? Why does the inequality between men and women still exist when talking about virginity? If it’s so important, why are there groups of people praying and promoting only female virginity and not virginity in general? 

In this article, we want to research how true it is that virginity is a social construct. 

 

Virginity Is a … Social Construct? 

Before responding to this question, let’s define social construct. It is an idea that society creates to make sense of everything around us. Social constructs are not bad. On the contrary, they help us understand the world we live in. For instance, we all agree that a certain piece of paper represents money. We accept its different values and use it to buy certain things. That is a social construct. 

However, not all social constructs help us function on an everyday basis. Some are used to manipulate marginalized groups, and up until recently, women were marginalized all across the world. Although that is not the case anymore, there is still a lot of inequality between men and women when it comes to certain matters. One such example is virginity. 

When someone says the word ‘virgin,’ do you imagine a man or a woman? Most likely, you’ve imagined a woman. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. For hundreds of years, society has been teaching us that a woman should be ‘untouched’ until she meets the right man who decides to marry her. There is no equivalent for men. Yes, they were expected to provide for this perfect woman and the family they built together, yet a man who wasn’t from a wealthy family wasn’t considered as a ‘damaged good.’ 

Putting aside social and religious beliefs, what does one lose by having a sexual experience? How can having an experience decrease your value? One of the definitions of experience is that it is an ‘event which leaves an impression on you.’ 

Instead of expecting someone to be a virgin, it would make more sense to talk about the experience itself. What do you need for it to be a quality experience? What should you learn from such an experience? Why do we seek that type of experience in the first place?

These questions initiate personal growth; asking whether or not someone is a virgin initiates discrimination, comparison, and judgment. 

 

Virginity Limits Other Experiences 

The concept of virginity pushes women away from sex, and it distances them from other experiences, such as masturbation, conversations, and thoughts about sex. Understanding what you like and don’t like is crucial for successful sex. Even if you wait until you’re married, if you aren’t allowing yourself to be curious about sex, chances are you will not be able to enjoy it because you don’t know what you prefer. 

Not masturbating, thinking, or talking about sex have one strong belief in common, which is ‘Sex is dirty.’ You can’t expect this belief to magically disappear once you are married. That is why many people who wait until marriage to have sex say that they are not impressed by it. Others will feel it is a marital responsibility, so they will not experience any pleasure or orgasm. 

In a way, virginity continues to impact your sexual experiences even when you lose it to the person you’ve waited for your entire life. After all, it’s not about being proficient at having sex; it’s about feeling proficient when having it. People with penises and vaginas have the right to enjoy their sexual experiences and be curious about sex and sexuality in general. 

 

Before and After 

Your first sex definitely separates before and after. Every important experience does that. Your first kiss, your first relationship, your first friend, your first day at school, and so on. Interestingly enough, other things don’t have a word for the period before a certain experience. What do you call a person before they gain their first friend? There’s no word for it. 

There is so much negative context around the word ‘virginity’ that, at this point, it is way more damaging than informational. Just think about it: what can you do with the information of someone being a virgin? It has zero value to others. If you haven’t had sexual experience, that information says nothing relevant about you in the public sphere. Also, if you had sex, it says the same—nothing. 

For inexperienced people who want to take things slow, share it with a loved one. You can share it with your close friend if you feel that your past sexual experience wasn’t so great and you want to be more relaxed when having sex again. The only value of such information is if it benefits you. 

 

Time for a New Social Construct

In the same way that the social construct of virginity has been created, we can create a new one that is not harmful to people, especially young women. Why not advance virginity as society does every day to match its beliefs and habits?

Every sexual experience is valid. Shaming someone doesn’t bring positive outcomes for anyone. If you want others to respect your intimacy, respect theirs. Lastly, don’t compare yourself to others. Comparison always leads to dividing the world into ‘good’ and ‘bad, ‘black’ and ‘white.’ Instead, be open-minded, curious, compassionate, and lead by example. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Sex Therapist Answers What Causes Peyronies Disease

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Sex Therapist Answers What Causes Peyronies Disease

 

What causes peyronies disease? This condition is often overlooked, yet it significantly impacts men’s health. We are focusing on the male body and men’s health again as we explore this important topic.

Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis, which can lead to curved, painful erections. This condition can arise due to injury or trauma to the penis, often occurring during sexual activity or physical activities. It can also develop without any obvious cause, leading to confusion and concern for those affected.

Do you notice changes in your male anatomy? Are you experiencing discomfort or noticing unusual curvature during erections? These could be signs of Peyronie’s disease, and it’s essential to address them. Many men may feel embarrassed to discuss their symptoms, but it’s crucial to seek help from a qualified professional. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and a return to sexual health.

Understanding the causes and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease is vital for maintaining overall male health. If you or someone you know is experiencing these issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for support and guidance. Remember, you’re not alone, and there are effective treatment options available.

@lifecoachingandtherapy

What Causes Peyronies Disease? We are looking at the male body and mens health again. Do you notice changes in your male anatomy? Peyronies disease may be the reason why. #malebody #menshealth #maleanatomy #peyroniesdisease #peyronies

♬ original sound – Life Coaching and Therapy

 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Therapy for Depression: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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Therapy for Depression: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

 

Therapy for depression aims to help those who have been diagnosed or believe they have depression. When it comes to the recommended type of therapy, your specific type of depression will be the determining factor. 

Depression is a prevalent mental health illness that alters your thoughts, sleep patterns, eating habits, and behavior. The important thing to remember is that depression can be treated, usually with medication, talk therapy, or both. It is critical to get medical attention as soon as you notice symptoms. That’s why we’ll also mention the causes and symptoms of depression in this article. 

 

What Is Depression?

A depressive state differs from normal mood swings or exchanges of feelings we experience in our daily lives. It can impact all areas of our lives, including social and romantic relationships. Depression may originate from or contribute to issues at work and in the classroom. Although anyone can experience depression, it is more likely to affect those who have experienced abuse, significant losses, or other stressful situations. 

During a depressive episode, a person will feel a depressed mood (feeling sad, angry, and empty), and they often report a lack of interest in their favorite hobbies and activities.

 

Depression Symptoms

Different depression symptoms exist, yet these are the most common: 

  • Lack of focus
  • Excessive guilt 
  • Low self-worth
  • Having a pessimistic outlook on the future
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Changes in eating or weight
  • Extreme exhaustion 
  • Lack of energy

 

Causes of Depression

Depression results from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. It is more common in people who have experienced adverse life experiences, such as unemployment, bereavement, or traumatic events. Depression can exacerbate a person’s living circumstances as well as the depression itself, resulting in increased stress and dysfunction.

Physical health is intimately tied to and impacts depression. Numerous characteristics that have been linked to depression, including unhealthy alcohol consumption or physical inactivity, recognized risk factors for conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. As a result of the challenges involved in managing their illness, individuals with certain conditions may also experience depression.

When it comes to the most common causes of depression, this is the overview:

  • Stressful or traumatic events
  • Personality
  • Family history
  • Menopause
  • Loneliness
  • Substance or alcohol abuse
  • Illness
  • Pregnancy or giving birth
  • Other mental health problems

 

Therapy Types for Depression

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to depression therapy; instead, the best kind of treatment depends on a number of criteria. Your treatment choice may depend on your preferences and symptom severity. To help you choose the depression therapy that might be best for you, think about some of the following popular forms:

 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy employs both behavioral and cognitive therapy because both are effective in treating anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to address the negative cognitive patterns and behaviors that underlie depression.

In your journal, your therapist may ask you to record the week’s events and any negative or self-defeating responses. During CBT, you may address patterns of thought, such as automatic negative reactions or habitual negative responses to events. Two prominent cognitive distortions that are associated with certain reaction patterns are overgeneralization and all-or-nothing thinking. 

 

Cognitive Therapy

The notion that our ideas impact our emotions lies at the core of cognitive therapy. For instance, we are more likely to feel content if we choose to see the positive aspects of every encounter rather than concentrating solely on the bad.

Depression can be aggravated and contributed to by negative thinking. It’s difficult to feel joyful when your mind is always racing with negative ideas. Through cognitive therapy, patients can learn to recognize frequent negative thought patterns or cognitive distortions and replace them with more upbeat ones to elevate their mood.

 

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral treatment is concentrated on altering habits that impact emotions, whereas cognitive therapy focuses on the unfavorable beliefs that lead to melancholy. And behavioral activation is critical in treating depression. This includes assisting patients with activities that will improve their sense of well-being.

 

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is sometimes less concentrated and requires a longer duration of care than certain other depression treatment modalities. This method helps you connect past events and determine how they affected your depression. It can also improve emotional skills and self-awareness.

 

Interpersonal Therapy 

Depression can also result from interpersonal conflict and a lack of social support. One kind of therapy that addresses these problems by focusing on interpersonal interactions and past and present social roles is called interpersonal therapy. The therapist usually selects one or two areas of concern to concentrate on throughout treatment.

This kind of treatment is typically quick and entails assessing your social ties with significant others. Your relationships with your spouse, friends, family, and coworkers might all fall under this category.

 

The Value of Therapy for Depression

The initial line of treatment for depression is psychological. With moderate to severe depression, you might be advised to take certain antidepressant drugs.

Cognitive behavioral therapies can impart new ways of thinking, adjusting, or interacting with people. They could consist of both supervised therapists and professional talk therapy. Talk therapy can take place online or in person, depending on what suits you best. To schedule a session, you can either use an app, visit a website, send an email, or simply call the number of the therapist’s office.

Regardless of the kind of therapy you choose, psychotherapy ought to be a secure and encouraging environment. You should always feel comfortable talking to a therapist about your depression-related feelings and struggles.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Therapy for Men: A Guide to Finding the Answers

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Therapy for Men: A Guide to Finding the Answers

 

We’re so glad to hear that men’s mental health is no longer taboo, and that goes for therapy for men as well. It’s about time that all people get the support they need to live more fulfilled lives. However, it’s a fact that men are still less likely than women to seek therapy. 

As society is becoming more open-minded about this topic, we’d taken a moment to look into the options of therapy for men, reasons why they usually seek help, and what to expect from your first session with a therapist. 

 

Reasons to Seek Therapy for Men

Men and those who identify as men face mental health issues just like everyone else. This could involve problems and illnesses like bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, sadness, anger issues, eating disorders, problems with body image, and more. It might also just be as simple as having someone to talk to in order to get past uncomfortable emotions and ideas and enhance your general perspective on life. 

In addition to being able to support you through these mental health issues, therapists who specialize in treating men will be trained to approach counseling with an awareness of the outside influences on men’s lives.

Because of societal perceptions of masculinity, men have encountered a variety of particular obstacles while seeking therapeutic services. Although there are other factors influencing men’s mental health besides gender, men may face particular challenges due to limited notions of what it means to be a man, such as achievement, control, and power. These may negatively affect behavior, feelings of self-worth, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.

 

Benefits of Therapy

It’s not necessary to put on a front or appear to be someone you’re not when in therapy. You may be who you truly are there, express your emotions, and voice your worries without worrying about being judged. Since the therapeutic connection is based on acceptance and trust, you are free to freely explore your feelings and ideas. Besides being yourself, there are other benefits men should be aware of. 

 

Get to Know Yourself Better

Men are generally expected by society to be emotionally repressed, although therapy promotes appropriate emotional expression. Feelings connected to stress, worry, sadness, rage, or anything else can all be explored. You can better understand yourself and your responses by giving expression to your feelings.

 

Improve Your Communication Skills

Enhancing communication skills through therapy can help you in both personal and professional interactions. You’ll get improved communication skills for expressing your ideas and emotions, attentive listening skills, and constructive problem-solving techniques. Better relationships are the result of having stronger communication abilities.

 

Learn Different Coping Strategies

There are many obstacles in life, and therapy gives you useful coping mechanisms. Therapy offers strategies to handle and get past challenges, whether they are personal, relationship, or work-related stressors. Enhancing your coping skills can help you become more mentally resilient.

 

Become Healthier

Therapists focusing on men’s mental health are aware of the particular difficulties that guys encounter. They understand that men may be affected differently by problems such as controlling their aggression, substance misuse, and relationship troubles. Therapy offers a customized strategy to deal with these issues.

 

Effective Therapy Approaches for Men

Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process. Everybody who seeks counseling will bring a unique context with them. Those belonging to the same demographic will possess distinctive qualities of their own. A skilled therapist will be able to establish a setting that accepts you for who you are. It is quite common for people to be uncertain about what to expect when they enter therapy. 

An intern, LMFTA, or licensed therapist can help you process emotions in a way that is comfortable for you. Therapy can be an open forum for discussion, or it can be highly action-oriented, with goals and steps to achieve them. 

Men are demonstrated to respond better to defined plans, action-oriented therapy, and the ability to track their progress toward goals, as opposed to talk therapy’s tendency toward more feelings-focused and abstract discussions. For many, it is inspiring to see how therapy works from the beginning, to know that skills can be acquired and that there will be greater control. 

Experts in mental health have also discovered that modifying terminology during therapy, such as outlining the procedure in detail and adopting a coaching stance, are useful strategies. Make sure you feel like you have a strong therapeutic fit before choosing a therapist. It’s entirely up to you if you find it easier to talk to another man or value the viewpoint of a therapist from a different group. This could involve locating someone who identifies as your gender identity or sexual orientation. 

 

When’s It Time to Seek Therapy? 

When it comes to depression, anxiety, and similar mental health issues, men frequently exhibit different symptoms than women. Men who experience these symptoms, their loved ones, and even some medical professionals and therapists may overlook these indicators. These symptoms are equally real, and it’s critical to recognize them in order to make an informed decision about when to see a therapist.

Indications that you should consider therapy include:

  • Feeling more easily agitated than usual
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Aggressive outbursts of aggression
  • Feeling down or overwhelmed 
  • Drinking, gambling, or using drugs
  • Losing interest in your favorite activities
  • Frequent headaches
  • Difficulty to focus 
  • Feeling tired even after a good night’s sleep 

 

Remind yourself that these symptoms are nothing to be ashamed of and that you are not alone. Although it’s common to think that discussing your issues with others won’t help, this is untrue.

One of the best things you can do to start feeling better is to go to a therapist. Meaning that they can support you in overcoming your emotions and finding solutions that suit your needs. 

Regardless of your goal, whether you want to become more assertive in your workplace or improve how you are in your relationship, therapy can guide you toward it. Learning the tools you need to live the life you want is what any good therapist can give you. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Why Does It Curve To The Left?

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Why Does It Curve To The Left?

 

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the male body and male anatomy. Addressing some common questions that many men may hesitate to ask. One such question is: Why does it curve to the left?

Much of men’s health involves understanding what is considered normal. And this extends to the shape and structure of the penis. It’s not uncommon for men to notice a slight curve, either to the left, right, or even upwards or downwards. In fact, slight curvature is often completely normal and can be a natural variation in anatomy. The cause may lie in the way tissue develops or how scar tissue forms over time.

Understanding your body is key to overall health and wellbeing, and no question should be off-limits when it comes to seeking answers.

@lifecoachingandtherapy

Why Does It Curve To The Left? We are looking at the male body and male anatomy this week. Much of mens health can involve questions about what is normal. #malebody #maleanatomy #menshealth

♬ original sound – Life Coaching and Therapy

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Complex Trauma: Definition, Examples, and Treatment

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Complex Trauma: Definition, Examples, and Treatment

 

The deep effects of complex trauma are seen in the neurological system. That is why understanding how complex trauma grows is essential, as it allows us to treat it more effectively. 

Many of us have experienced some type of unpleasant experience that comes with being human, whether it be a breakup or the loss of a loved one. Although these experiences are now in your past, that doesn’t mean their consequences are not part of your present. 

This is why it’s important to learn more about complex trauma and how it impacts the quality of our lives. Learn how to heal from your trauma and inspire other people to take the healing path as well. 

 

What Is Complex Trauma? 

Complex trauma refers to the wide-ranging, long-term impacts of children being exposed to several traumatic incidents, many of which are of an invasive, interpersonal type. These are serious, widespread events, like extreme abuse or profound neglect. They typically start early in childhood and can interfere with a child’s growth in a variety of areas, including the creation of a sense of identity. 

These experiences generally involve a caregiver, which makes it difficult for the child to develop a stable relationship. This main supply of security and stability is essential for many elements of a child’s healthy physical and mental development.

A specific traumatic experience can lead to the development of trauma over the following years. It happens when the body and brain are overloaded to the point where they find it challenging to transition from a state of “fight, flight, or freeze” to one of relaxation. A single incidence can be referred to as trauma, while a sequence of stressful events occurring over several months or years is referred to as complex trauma.

 

Symptoms of Complex Trauma

When talking about the common symptoms and signs of complex trauma, be aware that they are very similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you or someone you love is uncertain whether or not they have experienced a complex trauma, these are the symptoms you should be looking for: 

  • Flashbacks of the painful incident or series of incidents
  • Lapses in memory
  • Difficulty regulating emotions
  • Aversion and disengagement from the people, things, and surroundings that are connected to the trauma
  • Excessive awareness of potential threats (hypervigilance)
  • Regular unpleasant feelings and thoughts
  • Extreme difficulty establishing and keeping deep connections.
  • Persistent feelings of guilt, failure, and shame

 

Causes of Complex Trauma

The brain’s limbic system is activated when you experience traumatic events. To prepare the body for fight, flight, or freeze, this “fire alarm” shuts down all unnecessary functions, including rest, digestion, and sleep, and fills it with stress chemicals like cortisol. Our parasympathetic nervous system provides inner calm once the threat has passed.

At this time, your cognitive function returns to normal. This allows you to resume your day with just minor side effects—you might feel a little jittery or a little on edge for a while. Yet, this balance doesn’t strictly come back fully for those who deal with complicated trauma.

The limbic system remains active most of the time. It’s a coping strategy used to try to keep oneself safe when facing constant hardship. It’s the feeling of always being on edge or in survival mode. It eventually becomes the body’s and brain’s “new normal.”

When it comes to events and situations that lead to complex trauma, these are some examples:

  • Sexual or physical abuse in childhood
  • Prolonged domestic violence
  • Chronic neglect or abandonment
  • Medical abuse or medical trauma
  • Human trafficking
  • Torture
  • Genocide
  • Slavery

 

How to Heal from Complex Trauma

Everybody’s pain and traumas are distinct from one another, so treatment options might differ from one person to another. The good news is that trauma treatment approaches are developing along with our understanding of complex trauma. Providing a corrective emotional experience for healing is the aim of each treatment method.

These are a few efficient, complicated trauma therapies, and a mental health expert will know which approach could work best for you. 

 

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

You examine how your ideas, feelings, and behaviors relate to one another in this type of therapy. You might be able to modify your behavior if you realize how they are related.

 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

In order to help you reprocess traumatic events and create new beliefs about them, this treatment uses gentle tapping (or tones).

 

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

This method teaches you how to reconcile the disparate facets of your personality into a single, cohesive “self,” allowing you to process traumatic experiences in a way that will no longer be harmful.

 

Somatic (body-based) Therapy

Your body does not always need to be ready for trauma, according to somatic or body-centered therapies. This is because trauma originates in the limbic system of the brain rather than the frontal cortex, which is the section of the brain that communicates during therapy.

 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Those with complex trauma and borderline personality disorder (BPD), which share many symptoms, may find this method helpful. This therapeutic technique teaches radical self-acceptance, mindfulness, and discomfort tolerance.

 

How to Cope with Complex Trauma

The most important thing to do is find a good therapist who can guide you toward healing. However, there are certain things you can implement on your own to make sure you do everything you can to feel better, such as: 

  • Establishing goals for yourself
  • Recognizing and looking for situations, people, and circumstances that are comforting
  • Participating in a support group for trauma survivors
  • Being gentle and compassionate towards yourself (this is a tough one!)
  • Journaling
  • Finding a support group 

 

Wrap Up

You might feel as though complex trauma has taken over your life. Maybe you wonder if this will ever seem like less of a big issue and feel isolated in your experience. There are two things to remember: it will get better if you work on noticing your emotions, and you do not have to be alone in it. 

Spend some time learning about complex trauma because it is one of the best things you can do. There might be a support group or book club for recovery nearby that is worth a shot. Without a doubt, find a therapist who knows the right methods to help you and makes you feel heard and safe. Make sure you’re aware that getting therapy for complex trauma is crucial and that it will eventually help you recover.

 

Discuss your options for therapy with your provider. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.