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Articles from James Krehbiel | Selfgrowth.com
- Shedding Self-Doubt, Creating Confidence - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2010 from James KrehbielAfter discussing the creation of clear boundaries with Mark, he responded with, "I'm confused." This reaction typifies those with self-doubt who have troubles with sorting and sifting. They don't trust their instincts to generate an empowering decision. Rather, self-doubters cling to their ...
Views: 1398 - When the Landscape of Loss Lingers - by Submitted on Oct 23, 2009 from James KrehbielWithin the period of three months, I lost three loved ones. Two of them died three days apart. Although I knew the end was eminent as I processed each situation, my knowledge and anticipation did not soothe me - it only served to bring me closer to the inevitability of my own ...
Views: 1089(1 vote) - Eradicating Depression Through Schema-Focused Therapy - by Submitted on Oct 01, 2009 from James KrehbielSamantha moved to a large sprawling city to join her boyfriend. They carried on a long-distance relationship prior to her decision to move in with him. Unfortunately, the relationship did not last long, and she felt stuck in a city without a plan to move forward in a positive direction – she ...
Views: 1389(2 votes) - Heroes and Role Models: The People We Admire - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2009 from James KrehbielI think that it is important to make a distinction between some heroic figures that we value and the role models that have impacted our lives. What are the characteristics that differentiate heroes from people who have acted as role models for us? How do heroes and role models affect our ...
Views: 9489 - How to Respond to Tragedy - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2009 from James KrehbielRabbi Harold Kushner, the author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People, wrote about his response to personal tragedy. His son Aaron had premature aging, and eventually died from this disease. The pain from the Rabbi’s loss provoked a crisis of faith. Kushner wrote his book for those "who ...
Views: 3632(2 votes) - Make Way for a Different Kind of Thinking - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2009 from James KrehbielI distinctly recall when Nathan began seeing me for counseling. He was a skinny, sensitive kid with a big heart. At age 13, he struggled in the midst of a tumultuous custody battle that left emotional scars. My job was to prop him up - to give him hope that things would change for the better ...
Views: 1074(2 votes) - The Search for Adulthood: Grieving the Past and Embracing the Present - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2009 from James KrehbielLearning to process and accept our past is a necessary step in one’s search for adulthood. Instead, people often choose neurotic suffering as a way of coping with painful memories. Neurotic suffering consists of coping mechanisms that put a salve over our wounds. Rather than confront one's ...
Views: 1220(1 vote) - Life Through the Eyes of the Abuser - by Submitted on Aug 02, 2009 from James KrehbielI define an abuser as one who uses the power of words or physical prowess as a means of manipulating and controlling others. Generally, the perpetrator chooses to forego any interventions such as counseling or psychiatric assistance. However, he/she may grudgingly consent to couples counseling ...
Views: 3158(2 votes) - Dichotomous Thinking within the Therapeutic Community - by Submitted on Jul 31, 2009 from James KrehbielIn cognitive therapy, cognitive distortions represent the lenses out of which we view the world and filter our version of reality. In light of recent developments among some therapists, dichotomous (either/or) thinking has emerged as a professional hazard. I recently attended a national mental ...
Views: 2409(2 votes) - The Identity of Imperfection - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from James KrehbielWhen Alex was a kid, he recalls his father chastising him for not washing the car properly. Alex volunteered his services as a five-year-old child, but his dad showed little appreciation. On the contrary, when he "missed a spot," his father would berate him by calling him stupid. He was a ...
Views: 1165(2 votes) - Hooked Again! How to Break the Cycle of Relationship Addiction - by Submitted on Jul 04, 2009 from James KrehbielDana kept getting hooked in a relationship that was going nowhere. He came for counseling because he understood the self-defeating nature of his association with Kim. What he didn’t comprehend was how to break a convoluted connection that had a tight grip on his life. Dana confided that Kim ...
Views: 1065(2 votes) - From Alcoholic Enmeshment to Rational Recovery - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from James KrehbielTodd came to see me at the encouragement of his mother. He "talked the right talk" about leaving his drugs and alcohol behind, although he had a long track record of failed attempts. Todd had been in and out of residential treatment programs without success. This young man looked to me and ...
Views: 1743(2 votes) - A Response to Reparative Therapy for Gays - by Submitted on May 22, 2009 from James KrehbielHe came to see me as a middle-aged man. He was suffering from social anxiety. As we worked through his fear of connecting with others, a significant, unidentified issue emerged - he was conflicted about his sexual identity. My patient had never dated, nor established a meaningful, intimate ...
Views: 1199 - The Courage to Confront - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2009 from James KrehbielOne of the most significant underlying assumptions that many people internalize is, “I must avoid conflict at all costs; if I let others know what I think and feel, I might get disappointed and hurt.” However, “sweeping things under the rug” tends to eventually magnify unresolved interactions ...
Views: 1604 - The Mystery of Fibromyalgia and How Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Can Help - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2009 from James KrehbielFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is the medical terminology used to represent a complex clinical disorder of symptoms characterized by soft tissue pain, stiffness, and altered deep pain threshold with psychological fallout. It can mimic or accompany symptoms of joint injury, but it is not an ...
Views: 1339(1 vote) - Cognitive Therapy and Weight-loss - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2009 from James KrehbielWeight-loss is about majoring in the majors; it’s not about how you “butter your bread.” Often, people can be obsessive with weight-loss behavior. Weight-loss and weight maintenance can become a ritualistic, compulsive cycle. Charlie Whitfield, author and addictions expert calls the pattern ...
Views: 1656(1 vote) - The Emerging Popularity Of Cognitive-Behavorial Therapy - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2008 from James KrehbielCognitive-behavioral therapy is currently receiving a significant degree of attention as the treatment of choice for individuals needing assistance with a variety of psychological disorders. It is a structured, pragmatic approach to dealing with problems and is appealing to those seeking ...
Views: 1560(2 votes) - COGNITIVE THERAPY'S APPLICATION TO ANOREXIA NERVOSA - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2007 from James KrehbielAnorexia is a troublesome disorder characterized by an obsession with weight and food. With a target group consisting primarily of adolescent girls (80-90%), the anorexic will crave food, but will refuse to eat or retain it because of an overwhelming fear of weight gain. The individual may ...
Views: 1616 - COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY'S ANSWER TO PANIC - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2007 from James KrehbielPeople who suffer from panic attacks experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, loss of control, feelings of impending doom, disorientation, and feeling trapped. Although those who suffer from this disorder feel debilitated, it is one of the most manageable syndromes to treat ...
Views: 2000(1 vote) - Gay Identity and Authenticity - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2007 from James KrehbielMany years ago, when I worked in education, I spent my summers directing outdoor park district activities for kids. The children would come from the neighborhood to play various games. One year I recall a teenage boy coming to the park with a desire to talk with me. He would attend a youth ...
Views: 3384 - HOW TO AVOID POWER-STRUGGLES WITH YOUR CHILDREN - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2006 from James KrehbielInevitably, sometime within your parenting career, you will face a power-struggle with your child. If you don’t, you may be too intimidating, your child may be rather compliant, or you have mastered the art of managing conflict. Power-struggles occur due to a variety of factors, but invariably ...
Views: 3085 - The Magical Beliefs of Childhood - by Submitted on Feb 28, 2006 from James KrehbielAs children, we think we have the magical powers to change all that is wrong with our world. We need to believe that we can control problems in order to survive emotionally. For example, we may have parents who are not emotionally healthy. They may lack the capacity to be nurturing, supportive ...
Views: 1175 - REFLECTIONS ON SUCCESSFUL LIVING - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2006 from James KrehbielStepping out of the bubble means moving on, no matter what circumstances arise. It means being a fighter, the kind of fighter that never gives up hope. We can envision what we want the future to hold. Then we must go out into the world and make it happen. Complete failure is not an option. ...
Views: 1133 - THE COURAGE TO STEP OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2006 from James KrehbielCourage may be defined by those who live outside the bubble as opposed to those who live in it. I like to compare stepping out of the bubble to "wading out into the water." When one wades, they don't thrust themselves in, but slowly move deeper into the flow of things. They wait until they ...
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