Susan L. Williams, LPC

Thank you for your dignity and power. Rest In Peace

Reminder: Stop overestimating threats and underestimating your capabilities. You CAN control anxiety. #cognitivebehaviortherapy #CBT #yourthoughtsarenotfacts

Susan Van Pelt Williams

NARCISSISM... 3 major components: 1. Grandiosity - I am better and smarter than others 2. Entitlement - toddler mentality. I want what I want when I want it and I will pitch an adult fit if I don’t get it. And...it doesn’t matter if it’s morally acceptable or not. I can justify it. 3. Lack of empathy - Your obvious pain and hurt will not change my behavior. ... The Narcissistic personality runs on a continuum. Some narcissistic people are successful, engaging, charismatic, fun, professional, leader... But run into issues when entitlement kicks in backed up by lack of empathy. The other end of the spectrum is clinically diagnosable malignant narcissists. These people are dangerous and abusive when entitlement and lack of empathy kicks in.

MINDFULNESS is a buzzword in mental health, but most people don’t exactly know what that means. It means that we spend a lot of time thinking about the future what ifs or the past regrets, which keeps us anxious or depressed. If we actively draw our minds to the present, we can feel better. For example: I may have future problems to solve, but right now I am fine. I will enjoy right now. We offer many techniques to practice the skill of staying in the present to improve mental health: Example Exercise: Learn to slow down while driving. Intentionally going the speed limit allows you to relax your mind and body. Look at the surroundings instead of mindlessly barreling down there road. There is a liberating feeling that comes with embracing the speed limit and just enjoying the ride!

This is pretty harsh but very true. Many people live under a perception that losing a relationship is catastrophic, but in reality you don’t lose the healthy relationships (because they are healthy). You only lose the unhealthy ones (when standing up for self). Many people (especially women) fear having boundaries, being direct and honest and cutting out relationships that aren’t benefiting to self. This is because society has historically taught (women especially) not to be direct and honest because it’s mean or not to take care of self and have boundaries because it’s selfish. So we cling to unhealthy relationships and self judge and tolerate. Understanding this benefits everyone in the relationship.

Anxiety is the mind’s misguided attempt at seeking safety. Many people fail to perceive their own resilience and capability to endure hard things. #cognitivebehaviortherapy #CBT

Health related anxieties are tough. It kind of goes like this: