Depression & Anxiety

blue table, candle, watch, ink, key, words - 9 ways to manage anxiety during anxious times. Blog post by Patty Bechtold therapist at wiselifetherapy.com

9 Ways to Manage Anxiety During Anxious Times

No doubt you’re aware that we’re living during anxious times, which tends to not only increase anxiety, but also make it harder than ever to manage anxiety. In fact, these are particularly difficult times: times of political upheaval, wars, climate change. And that’s just the short list of the ongoing challenges we face at this…

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photo, vine wood fence, words, journaling for depression, blog post by Santa Rosa CA therapist Patty Bechtold at wiselifetherapy.com

Journaling for Depression: 10 Ways Personal Writing Soothes Depression

Journaling every day helps me feel better. Journaling for depression makes a difference. A few 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 does make…

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key-on-table-words-7-life-paradoxes-to-help-you-feel-better-blog-post-by-womens-counselor-Patty-Bechtold-at-wiselifetherapy.com

7 Life Paradoxes to Help You Feel Better

Not long ago I bought a book of Zen koans. It was an impulse purchase, and I snatched it up without thinking much about it. It seemed like the perfect resource guide for these ambiguous, ambivalent times we’re living in. I’ve read that koans are helpful for understanding the paradoxical aspects of reality. And even…

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photo, green vine on white wall; words, the myth of making time for yourself and what to do instead, blog post by Santa Rosa therapist Patty Bechtold wiselifetherapy.com

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 this advice is commonly directed at women. So in the first part of this post I’m sharing my thoughts about why it can be so hard to act on this advice, in spite…

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door in red brick wall, words - you are doing the best you can thoughts from a therapist by Santa Rosa therapist Patty Bechtold at wiselifetherapy.com

You Are Doing the Best You Can: Thoughts from a Therapist

It’s okay. You are doing the best you can. How often do you say those words to yourself? As a therapist and coach I say them to my clients a lot. I believe we don’t hear these words often enough, or might even think that they’re throw away words when we do hear them. And…

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