Posts by Michael Jones, Ph.D., LPC-S

The Art of Forgiveness

No one gets through life without being hurt by another person. We all have experienced the pain of a thoughtless remark, gossip, or lie. If you have experienced an unhappy marriage, the devastation of infidelity, or suffered physical or emotional abuse, you know what it feels like to be hurt. It is tempting to hold…

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How to Be Less “Perfect” and Enjoy Life More

This is the second of a series of two posts that explore the dynamics of perfectionism. In my last post, you learned what perfectionism is and why people develop the need to do things perfectly. Today you will learn how to change your perfectionist behaviors and enable yourself to be more satisfied with yourself and…

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Managing Perfectionism

What Is Perfectionism? This is the first of two posts that address perfectionism. In this post, we will explore what perfectionism is and why it is destructive. In the next one, we will take a look at some strategies for both controlling the need to be perfect and living a more relaxed, satisfying life. Perfectionists…

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Recovering from Infidelity

(Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash) Infidelity is more common than most people realize. It is also a topic that many people do not want to discuss. In fact, it is estimated that 60% of men and 40% of women today will have an extramarital affair during their marriage. I decided to learn as much…

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Gaining More Self Esteem

(Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash) What Is Self-Esteem? Self-esteem literally means to esteem, or respect, yourself. Having high self-esteem means that you have a positive image of yourself. Let’s look at where such a positive self-image comes from. In her classic book Celebrate Yourself, Dorothy Corkville Briggs makes a distinction between the real you and…

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Be Assertive Not Aggressive

(Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash) One skill that many people do not possess is the ability to ask for what they want.  This does not guarantee that you will get it, but it makes it a lot more likely when you ask for it in the right way.  Most of us know that assertiveness will…

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When Is Counseling Necessary?

Most of us experience times when we need help to deal with problems and issues that cause us emotional distress. When you are having a problem or dilemma that is making you feel overwhelmed, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Professional counselors and therapists offer the caring, expert assistance that…

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