6. Get Help 

One of my mentors frequently says, “Once you become conscious, you have choice.” What therapy can do is help us become aware of ourselves, become conscious – so that we have choice in responding instead of reacting to situations. We’re still allowed to have our feelings but just because we’re mad doesn’t mean we have to be abusive. Because we’re anxious doesn’t mean we have to drink or eat or shop or gamble to excess. If you’re not aware of yourself – your feelings, needs, and behaviors – choice in responding really isn’t possible. Often instead of feeling and acknowledging our feelings internally, we push them away. Therapy not only helps us become aware of what’s happening. It also helps us build a tolerance for our feelings so that we don’t act out. We learn our feelings aren’t going to kill us. 

 If you’d like to get more help, call me.