Posts by Patty Bechtold
5 Small Rituals That are Magic for Your Mental Health
Imagine waking up each morning, knowing you have a series of small rituals to see you through the day. If you’re like many of my clients, you long for simple ways to ground and center yourself, to calm your nervous system, to feel more hopeful. And while you might be drawn to the idea of…
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Journaling for Depression: 10 ways to invite curiosity
Note to self: Journaling every day helps me feel better. Journaling for depression invites my curiosity. Several years ago I wrote those words in my journal, after a month of writing consistently. Perhaps you’ve had times in your life like I have, when you’ve felt sad, downhearted, or unhappy. Journaling for depression, I’ve discovered, really…
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The Myth of Making Time for Yourself. And What to Do Instead.
Have you ever read or heard someone say that making time for yourself is really important? I’m guessing that you have, since the advice to make time for yourself is commonly directed at women. In the first part of this post I’m sharing my thoughts about why it can be so hard to act on…
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Life Transition Self-Care: 5 Ways to Fill Your Cup
I remember the moment like it was yesterday, even though it happened a decade ago. I was sitting with a client who was in the midst of a complex life transition. She’d landed in the middle of midlife, feeling lost, confused and disoriented. At one point she looked up and said, “If you could take…
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The Hospital Fantasy: Burnout or an Invitation to Go Deeper?
Have you ever experienced the hospital fantasy? Early on in my professional career as a therapist, I learned about the hospital fantasy from my clients. Many of my clients (then and now) juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, including caregiving, careers, family, and personal health/mental health issues. They may also be approaching or in the menopausal…
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