Online articles on tips and techniques to heal and grow in the journey of life, by Bill Herring LCSW.
"12 Step" groups are free, confidential, and a rich resource for guidance, support, inspiration and accountability for people dealing with a wide range of problems. The benefits they provide are generally unattainable from any other source, including professional counseling. Yet many people refuse to attend them, including those who would benefit the most by doing so. This reluctance tends to be based on one or more fairly common objections, many of which stem from misconceptions about the nature of 12-step groups. In an effort to provide some much-needed clarity on the subject, here are the twelve most frequently used arguments against attending 12-step groups and responses that address each concern.
Learn how to utilize the "20-60-20 Rule" to avoid sinking into a negative attitude when nothing seems to be going your way. This simple technique is very effective in helping to maintain an emotionally healthy attitude, a positive perspective and a sense of serenity. And anyone can do it!
Happiness and misery are often intensified by what they are compared against. This parable of a poor villager's visit with a wise man illustrates how an emotional outlook can be influenced by a change in perspective.
Gaining experience, strength and hope from other people who are in a similar situation is a wonderfully effective way to reduce shame, gain self-acceptance and enhance motivation for continued growth. Nobody likes to feel they are the only one with a problem. Finding other people with similar struggles who are at various stages of their own recovery journey provides a sense of shared understanding that has a value beyond measure.
There are fundamentally two types of challenges that cause us to struggle in life: those that circumstance throws our way and those we essentially create for ourselves. The most effective counseling approaches address both aspects in order to insure the best outcomes possible.
The hectic pace of life can present a real challenge to the ability to maintain good emotional health on a day-to-day basis. But a few simple steps can help preserve a good emotional balance in the face of all the challenges and demands of modern life. Here are ten suggestions to help you insure the maintenance of good emotional health in your daily life.
