Problem-Focused

Mental health tends to focus on the negative and the effects of the problem. As a therapist, I often start by asking, “what brings you into therapy today?” I don’t think we should focus on the bad at the expense of the good. Meaning, there’s a lot of good to be found in even in the midst of a difficult time. Now, I do not mean to say, “forget or ignore the bad to focus on the good.” Simply I want to say, “don’t look past the joy, the wins, the fun you have along the way.” Gratitude, humor, and hope can be found even in the most difficult of times especially during times of change.

Positives of change

Recently, I have found myself in the middle of a transition.  Although I see the challenges and the need to prepare ahead. I have also found out a lot of things have just worked out for the better, sometimes better than I expected. I have been continuously surprised by the generosity of others and have learned to trust the universe more, especially with things not within my control.

If you're going through a transition yourself, keep an eye open for the small joys in your life. Allow yourself to feel both the anxieties and the gratitude of the day. Take time to address and let go of the stress while holding onto gratitude and hope a bit longer. Keep yourself grounded in whatever has kept you that way while embracing the good that comes along the way.

As I was writing this, I was told “being attached to a future possibility pulls away from the present.” I think this is true, even if it is a better future you are waiting for…

My work

Yoojin Nam LMFT is the author of Thinking to Feel. He has been providing psychotherapy for 7 years and is licensed to practice in CA & TX.

Wondering if therapy might benefit you? E-mail [email protected] to schedule a free consultation.

Disclaimer: These posts are not a replacement for therapy. The information contained within is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be therapeutic advice.