Learn How to Effectively Help Yourself With a Licensed Psychologist

Being sensitive has been overly stigmatized in our "don't take things personally" culture. The truth is, sensitive emotional people are far more mentally healthy than insensitive people, but the trick is learning how to manage your sensitivity. Our culture constantly bombards us with the value of individualism and not letting other people bother us. We are told that being too sensitive is a sign of weakness, as if there is something wrong with having weaknesses. But if you stop to think about it, would you rather live in a neighborhood of sensitive people who are managing their emotions or a neighborhood of insensitive people? Having emotions is good, learning how to manage your emotions, is better. The challenge becomes finding an effective way to manage one of the most important aspects of being human: our mind. 

My main focus when I'm working with clients is trying to help them help themselves. But we hear that a lot, what does that mean? How do you help someone to effectively help themselves? Well, the main thing you don't do is tell someone how to do it, or assume that you know what's right for them. Only YOU know how to help YOU. If I do it for you, then it will not have a lasting effect. If I tell how to feel or think, it assumes that I know what is right for you, and that would be very presumptuous of me. One way that I try to help my clients is by working on and fine-tuning what they hear emanating from within them, and how they are interacting with what they are hearing. Your thoughts and emotions are exactly like a fingerprint, they are unique to you and only you and they require specific interventions that are tailored to the many different factors that have been influencing you your whole life. What would happen if a medical doctor approached every patient the exact same way and gave every patient the exact same treatment plan? 

Be cautious when you're reading books, working with experts, or listening to charismatic speakers who assume that their particular formula works for everyone. Inquire about their professional background, training, clinical experience, and why they feel that they are in a position to give you advice and what evidence they are basing their advice on. 

Dr. Steven Walker

LicensedPsychology.com
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