What is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?

Not all treatment is created the same. This can be said about EMDR therapy. Without rehashing the past trauma by talking about it, EMDR creates a way for the brain to reorganize the way the trauma experience is stored in the brain so that the brain heals itself. So how does it work? Read more about the science behind EMDR therapy. (This article is written and sponsored by TECH technological university).

behavioral health, counseling, mental health, psychologyTimothy YenJanuary 28, 2023EMDR therapy, counseling, neuroscience, brain, trauma, PTSDComment

Is online counseling right for me? The pros and cons of telehealth.

Counseling has always been traditionally conducted in a physical office in person. When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, counselors had to get creative on how to treat their clients AND keep them safe from sickness. Does online counseling work? Are there situations where online counseling can work even better? The answer is a resounding yes. We compare the pros and cons between online counseling and in-person counseling so you can make the best decision for you.

Why is it difficult to share how I really think and feel? The struggle of multi-cultural identities

All of us deal with this some type of insecurity. It robs us of the freedom to express our individuality and the power to pursue desirable destinies. In this week’s article, we explore a friend of mine who has navigated the treacherous waters of multicultural expectations and found his true voice.

Why do my partner and I keep constantly arguing?

Have you ever called someone before and their connection was bad? The voice came out broken or scrambled from the other end. You would yell "Hello? Hello? Anyone there? Can you hear me?" And eventually the connection would be lost and you would either have to try again or find another time to talk? That’s the problem most relationships have... bad connection. In this week's blog, we talk about how to identify and repair the broken areas of our communication.

behavioral health, coaching, consulting, counselingTimothy YenApril 6, 2022#relationships, relationship therapy, #love, trauma, connectionComment

Why is the intimacy gone in our relationship?

Rekindling intimacy is a struggle I see many couples coming into my practice have, but in every relationship it’s important to know that there are some principles or guidelines that we can follow that can get you back on track in no time.

Valentines, is there such a thing as “the one?”

Love is a powerful emotion. Some even say it’s as strong as death, and yet during this time of the year, some of us struggle with not really understanding or having control of this crazy rollercoaster feeling. This week, we explore the topic of love and how it relates to our personal sense of freedom.

behavioral health, coaching, consulting, counseling, mental healthTimothy YenFebruary 10, 2022love, the one, valentines, truth, journey, success, romance, mature, aspirationsComment

What to do when motivation and resolve are not enough?

So you’ve done the heart work and the hard work. From our previous blog, if you’ve taken time in the last few days to answer the important questions about why this goal is important to you and how it lines up with your values… you are well on your way to accomplishing your goals this year. Target... check! But where do you start? How do you start?

What advice do you have for beginners who are not used to achieving their goals?

When we think about the big picture of our goals and the millions of steps and resources that will be required to achieve them, we get overwhelmed and many of us shut down. This week, we share on the questions we can ask ourselves to help us jump start our yearly resolutions and make sure we achieve them in the long run.

How do I make a bulletproof New Year's resolution?

It’s that time of year where we’re dreaming of what could be. I’m a firm believer in creating our own reality and future by investing and sowing into the now. The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect on the past, celebrate its successes, learn from its failures and mistakes, and look forward to a more meaningful and purposeful future. Here are some mindset steps to consider:

How can I shift to an abundant mindset in this holiday season?

Even though the holidays are meant to be about love and giving, sometimes we focus on our lack. We still have bills to pay, unhappy family members, and disappointments from the year. Yet the reality is that we have more blessings than we can count! So how do we shift out of the scarcity mindset into one of abundance? It has everything to do with understanding the purpose of your blessings and identity as a blesser.

What is the scarcity(poverty) mindset and where does it come from? How do I know if I might be operating from it?

Some of us tend to sabotage ourselves because we might have some underlying beliefs. This week, we share about how we can overcome some of our scarcity mindsets through honest reflection

'Tis the season of giving, but why do I find it so hard?

Is it really more blessed to give than receive? In this post, we explore the benefits of giving and why it’s important to not only give but how it helps us shift our mindset from one of lack to one of abundance.

psychology, counseling, behavioral health, mental health, coachingTimothy YenDecember 7, 2021#giving, #abundance, #generosity, #christmasComment

If being grateful is so beneficial, why do we not cultivate it as a habit?

Wanting to be better, striving to live optimally, and being hungry for more/better is what actually creates drive for each and every one of us. This month, we explore why it’s important for us to develop gratitude as a habit to really become more of who we say we want to be. Click on the link to see how we can pivot the way we think with a few simple steps and create a more meaningful and optimal life.

coaching, counseling, consulting, mental healthTimothy YenNovember 23, 2021gratitude, satisfied, goals, paradox, tension, createComment

How Can I Cultivate Gratitude as a Habit?

Whether we are hitting the gym, reading that book, or preparing that healthy meal, all these activities are a part of forging a healthier and more holistic physical person. Given that we are whole people, being physically healthy contributes greatly to our mental health. But just because clients are physically in top shape, they can still be emotionally and mentally out of shape. Why does this occur? Find out more in discovering cultivating gratitude as a habit.

counseling, mental health, coaching, behavioral healthTimothy YenNovember 16, 2021habits, gratitude, goals, valuesComment

Why Be Thankful? Exploring the Power of Gratitude

November is the month of the Thanksgiving holiday in America. We just assume that it is good to be thankful. Although that is true, some people believe it may kill our ambition to be better and do more. Does that have to be true? We are going to explore the discipline of gratitude and how it may be much more than simply positive thinking!

counseling, mental health, psychology, coaching, behavioral healthTimothy YenNovember 9, 2021gratitude, happy thanksgiving, habits, reflectionComment

What to Do About Anxiety Around the Holidays?

Feeling anxious about the holidays? You are not alone. With the expectation of holiday cheer, everyone seems to be happy and ready to socialize. What if that is not how you feel? Especially since the COVID-19 quarantine, many people feel isolated and out-of-touch with social interaction. Why do we feel anxious when we are surrounding by family, friends, and co-workers? We will address some common reasons for the anxiety and what you can do to prepare for the holiday gatherings.

What is the problem with ignoring our emotions?

There is the saying “my emotions got the best of me.” People tend to treat their feelings, especially the more distressing ones, as problematic and something that needs to go away. So what is the problem with ignoring those feelings? Instead of wishing we could make our feelings go away, what if we can learn to befriend them instead? Emotions are a valuable part of our human experience and often misunderstood. Let’s take a little time to better understand them!

How can I use personality tests to clarify my identity and purpose?

Most of us want to live full and meaningful lives yet sometimes it feels like we are just going through the motions. How do know that our decisions are aligned with our values? How do we know what truly matters to us? One way to learn the specifics about your values is through personality tests. They can give language to what makes you tick! Consider doing a couple of them and let the information inform your choices!

What causes indecision and why is it harmful?

Sometimes it can be so difficult to make the right choice. What is the right choice? What does that even mean? There are multiple reasons why decision making can be challenging. The more we can understand these reasons, the greater chance we have to break out of the indecision cycle and re-claim our choice!

What is the Difference Between Guilt and Shame? How Both Influence Our Decisions

Guilt and shame are often used interchangeably. But are they really the same thing? I argue that one of them is even healthy for you (within the right context) while the other one is utterly destructive. We will talk about how to identify the difference between guilt and shame, what these emotions mean, and how we can leverage them to make better decisions!