The ego is a term we often hear in psychology but understanding it can be quite complicated. Essentially, the ego is the part of our personality that helps us interact with the world around us. It is the mediator between our inner selves and outer experiences. Understanding the ego is essential to personal growth and healing. In this blog post, we'll discuss the ego from a constructivist perspective, what it is, how it works, and how we can learn to better understand our inner self. According to constructivist theory, the ego is the part of the self that creates mental representations…

We’ve all heard the phrase “setting boundaries,” but what does that really mean? It means taking control of your personal space and setting limits on the expectations of others while still maintaining meaningful relationships. Knowing how to have healthy personal boundaries is an essential life skill that everyone should have in order to take charge of their own lives and protect themselves from being taken advantage of. So let’s dive into the why and how of healthy personal boundaries.  Having healthy personal boundaries is important for a few reasons. First, it helps you protect yourself by setting limits on what is…

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut, held back by something you can’t quite put your finger on? This feeling may stem from limiting beliefs. Limiting beliefs, also known as self-limiting beliefs, are ideas and thought patterns that hold us back from our fullest potential. They can be hard to recognize at first because they often masquerade as facts or truths—but the good news is that they can be overcome! Let’s explore what limiting beliefs are and how we can identify and work through them.  Limiting beliefs are simply any thoughts or ideas that keep us from achieving our goals…

Non-attachment is a concept that is often explored in Buddhist teachings. It is the practice of being mindful about your thoughts and emotions, but not attaching any meaning or value to them. This practice can be beneficial for anyone who wants to lead a healthier, more mindful life. Let’s take a closer look at non-attachment and some of the benefits associated with it.  In its simplest form, non-attachment is the idea that you can observe your thoughts and feelings without becoming attached to them. This means that although you may experience certain emotions or thoughts, you don’t attach any deeper meaning…

Non-striving is a key concept of mindfulness, but it can be difficult to understand. In a world where we are encouraged to strive for excellence in every area of life, it can be hard to accept the concept of non-striving. So what does non-striving mean and how can it help us? This blog post will break down the concept of non-striving and discuss why it's an important part of mindfulness practice.  Non-striving is a way of approaching life that involves letting go of our need to control outcomes and instead focusing more on the present moment. It acknowledges that striving too…

The concept of inner child work has grown in popularity over the past few decades. This type of therapy focuses on bringing awareness to and healing from childhood trauma, pain, and wounds. It encourages individuals to become reacquainted with their younger selves, which can lead to a better understanding of themselves as adults. Let's explore what inner child work is and how it can help you heal.  What is inner child work? Inner child work involves exploring our childhoods in order to gain insight into our current emotional states. It encourages us to be mindful of our younger selves by recognizing…

 Have you ever wondered why certain aspects of your personality seem to be at odds with one another? Or why certain behaviors and habits keep resurfacing, even though you’ve worked so hard to overcome them? If so, then it may be time for you to explore the concept of a shadow self. Understanding and accepting your shadow self can help you manage difficult emotions and impulses better in order to become your most authentic self.  What Is the Shadow Self? The psychoanalyst Carl Jung first developed the concept. Jung used the term “shadow self” to describe the things people repress or…

 Everyone has a unique personality, and emotional intelligence plays a huge role in how we interact with the world around us. But what is emotional intelligence? How can it help you understand yourself better, and become more successful? In this blog post, we'll explore what emotional intelligence is, why it's important, and how you can use it to be the best version of yourself.  What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence (EQ) is defined as the ability to identify, assess, and manage one’s own emotions as well as those of others. It involves understanding your own feelings and those of others, empathy…

 Yoga is an ancient practice with a long history of promoting physical, mental, and emotional health. Over the years it has become increasingly popular as a form of exercise and meditation to improve overall well-being. If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, gain strength, and improve your overall health, yoga may be just what you need. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing benefits of yoga.  Physical Benefits  Yoga offers many physical benefits that can help improve your overall health. It is low impact and gentle enough for all ages and fitness levels, yet challenging enough to strengthen…

Being a successful leader requires more than just the ability to make decisions. It requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to maintain a calm head in stressful situations. Many business leaders are turning to mindfulness practices to help them develop these skills. Here’s why mindfulness can be beneficial for leaders looking to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence.  Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, without judgment, and with an open mind. It can help leaders reduce stress levels and become more aware of their own emotions. When practiced regularly, mindfulness can help leaders become better at…

 Have you ever noticed the ebb and flow of life? That nothing stays the same, but everything is always changing? That’s what impermanence is all about. Impermanence is a concept that can be difficult to understand and accept, but it can also provide a sense of freedom and peace. In this blog post, we'll explore why understanding impermanence is important and how it can help us live in the present moment.  What Is Impermanence? Impermanence is the idea that nothing in life remains unchanged. It's a reminder that everything — from our relationships to our emotions to our physical bodies — is…

Meditating on a regular basis has been scientifically proven to be beneficial for both physical and mental health. It is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to help people relax and reduce stress levels. Meditation can also be used to gain insight into personal issues, cultivate mental clarity, and promote spiritual growth. The most well-known benefit of regular meditation is the reduction of stress and anxiety levels. Studies have shown that meditating regularly can help to reduce the fight or flight response of the sympathetic nervous system, which helps us cope with stress more effectively. Meditation can also…

You have probably heard of the concept of cold immersion. Maybe you’ve even tried a cold shower or a dip in a lake before. But did you know that cold immersion has some unexpected benefits? From reducing stress levels to increasing mental clarity, let’s explore the surprising benefits of cold immersion for psychotherapy clients.   Stress Reduction It might seem counterintuitive, but immersing yourself in cold water can actually reduce stress levels. Research shows that taking regular cold showers can reduce cortisol – the hormone associated with stress- and balance out your body's autonomic nervous system (ANS). A balanced ANS is associated with…

The coronavirus pandemic has caught us all by surprise and changed our day to day lives significantly. It has meant that trips to the doctor or hospital for healthcare check-ups have been placed on hold due to the lockdown.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. If you’re looking for more information about Jim Squire Psychotherapy, you’ve come to the right place.

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy or EFIT is a variation of the highly successful Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). EFIT was developed by Dr Sue Johnson who received the order of Canada for her ground breaking work in psychology and research on bonding and love. EFIT is influenced by attachment theory and the premise we are all hard wired to connect and the quality of those connections dramatically influences our well being. EFIT focuses on understanding the underlying emotions that drive behaviour and therefore helps us understand why we get stuck in certain patterns or repeat patterns that interfere with having the…

Most of us are familiar with IQ but not everyone is as familiar with EQ or emotional intelligence. EQ is considered much more important than IQ in working well with others such as managing groups or maintaining relationships. Emotional intelligence is basically the ability to perceive others emotional states and self-awareness of your own including the ability to manage or self-regulate emotions which is an invaluable skill. Many people with high IQs are successful but often have difficulty connecting with others whereas those with high EQs are the opposite. In my experience people that have success in certain areas of…

There is a lot being written about how to succeed with goals at this time of year so much so that it almost seems like the topic is exhausted. However I am writing about an area that I believe can help you succeed and it isn't talked about as much. I'm referring to the attitude that we approach ourselves while striving to achieve goals. In my years of experience the more open and forgiving we are to a set back has a lot to do with whether we will succeed with our goals. Everyone for the most part has a…

How Much is too Much? All of us from time to time over-indulge but if it becomes a pattern we can find it impacting our life negatively. Frequent over-indulging is usually a way of coping, the question is often why am I feeling the need to escape? In fact, addiction put simply is a way or coping (or escaping) pain or discomfort although because it's unhealthy we call it maladaptive coping. There is no set quantity or frequency that signals a problem, we know its a problem when it impacts our life negatively. For example our relationships, health or finances are suffering…

  You’re not alone if you feel that your brain tends to focus on the negative more, in fact everyone struggles with this to some degree. Research has shown that our brain responds more frequently to stimuli it deems negative and that it has a greater sensitivity to anything negative.  There is a theory referred to as negative evolutionary bias which states those that have a brain that focuses more on the negative tended to survive longer and therefore had a greater opportunity to procreate and pass on their genes. I often explain it to clients that one of the…