Imposter syndrome refers to a psychological issue that causes someone to feel like a fraud. You might think that any success or accomplishments you have are undeserved, and you’re just waiting for someone to “catch” you and expose that you don’t have the skills or strengths others might think you do.

Imposter syndrome is somewhat of a phenomenon because the people who often experience it are highly successful people. However, people from all walks of life can deal with imposter syndrome, including entrepreneurs.

Starting your own business is no easy task. Finding success is even harder. But if you’ve been able to grow your business into something sustainable, you’ve done something extraordinary! So, what happens if you still feel like an imposter?

Let’s cover a few tools and techniques you can use to overcome imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur.

Fear of Exposure

As a business owner, you want your company to be successful. People have different definitions of success, but having a healthy work environment, securing a profit, and experiencing growth are all great signs that you’re doing something right.

If you have imposter syndrome, though, you might always find yourself waiting to be exposed — even if there’s nothing to expose. You might view your business’ success as pure luck and assume it has nothing to do with your hard work or talents. You might fear that someone will find you out and take down your business as a result.

Unrealistic Expectations

It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to have some perfectionist tendencies. But, setting unrealistic expectations for yourself and your business will create a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

When you aren’t able to meet those expectations, you’ll start to criticize yourself even more. When you reach milestones or achievements, you’ll likely downplay them or tell yourself they aren’t good enough. Businesses should strive for perfection but have a healthy understanding that it’s impossible to achieve.

Comparison Issues

Competition is a good thing in the business world. Almost every business owner is going to look at what others in their industry are doing. But, comparing yourself to peers in your business community can go too far.

If you look up to successful peers but they only make you feel like more of a failure, then you’re not using comparison to your advantage. Rather, it’s causing you to feel inadequate, and chances are you’re doing just as much to stay successful as those other businesses.

When comparison becomes obsessive, or it causes you to doubt yourself and your business, it’s time to reconsider what social media you are consuming and thoughts you are entertaining.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

It is possible to fight back against imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur. Recognizing you’re struggling with it is the first step.

Recognize your achievements and celebrate your wins. It’s easy to get down on yourself or think about what you could have done better. But, when you recognize the good moments, you’ll see that you aren’t a fraud, and they are well-deserved.

Make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people. That includes a work team that builds each other up, as well as peers and mentors who will offer you encouragement and support.

Finally, consider talking to someone if you’re still struggling. You could be dealing with negative thought patterns or self-esteem issues that are contributing to your imposter syndrome. Breaking those cycles and understanding where those issues stem from can make a big difference. You’ll learn how to boost yourself up and replace negative self-talk with positivity.

If you’re ready to take that step and enjoy the success you’ve built, contact me today to set up an appointment for anxiety therapy.

According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 19% of Americans reported being miserable at work. Job dissatisfaction is high, but there’s a difference between not liking your job and feeling like you’re selling your soul to the place you go to each day.

If that sounds a little extreme, it might be more realistic than you think. No, you’re not literally making a deal with the corporate devil. But, there are signs you should pay attention to if you’re unhappy in the workplace.

Let’s take a look at some of those signs so you can determine if you’re selling your soul to your job and if it’s time to make a change.

Your Job Doesn’t Align With Your Values

You don’t have to agree with everything your employer or the company stands for. But, if your job requires you to do things that go against your belief system or personal values, you should consider it a huge red flag.

Personal ethics are important. You should never have to go against what you believe in for a paycheck. Doing so will cause cognitive dissonance and inner turmoil. You might feel guilty, ashamed, or even start to question your identity as you complete tasks that feel foreign to your nature.

You’re Exhausted

It’s not uncommon for people to feel tired or even a little burnt out at the end of a long workday. But, if you tend to feel that way about your job all of the time, something bigger could be going on. Maybe the demands are too great, or you’re dealing with a toxic work environment that drains you every day.

Consider the things that are causing you to feel exhausted each day at work. Some of them might not be so obvious, but they could be crushing you from the inside out.

A Lack of Fulfillment

Do you get up each morning dreading to go to work? Being a little unhappy or wanting to sleep in sometimes is normal. But, if the idea of going to work causes anxiety or extreme distress, there’s a problem.

If you leave work feeling unfulfilled, that’s also a big problem. Your job should give you some sense of purpose. You should feel like you’re contributing something bigger — something you can be proud of. Without fulfillment, you’re just going through the motions, and it won’t take long for you to feel restless, stagnant, and depressed.

You Can’t Strike a Balance

Maybe you actually enjoy your job. You like the people, you’re getting paid more than you ever thought you would, and there is plenty of room for growth and more success. But is there a catch?

Think about what you might be sacrificing for your job. If you’re sacrificing important relationships or giving up on hobbies or interests that mean something to you, you could be selling your soul to your job without really realizing it.

It’s so important to strike a healthy work-life balance, even when you enjoy the work you do. Your job can’t become your identity, or you’re at risk of losing everything else that’s important in your life. If the demands of your job are taking away from those things, reconsider your priorities.

Talking Things Through

Maybe some of these issues sound familiar, but you’re not sure what to do about it. Don’t feel like you have to hold in your concerns, frustrations, or confusion. Sometimes, talking things through — especially with a mental health professional — can help you figure out the right path to take in your career.

If you’re ready to get started on that path, I’m happy to help. Contact me today to set up an appointment for anxiety counseling.

There’s a common misconception that you either grow up knowing what you want to do or you’re at least supposed to know by the time you graduate high school or college. But that isn’t the case for everyone.

Unfortunately, that leads many people to choose a career path they’re uncertain about — or unhappy with. Or, maybe you’ve simply changed your mind over the years and know you want to try something new, but you’re uncertain of what you really want.

There is no shame in switching careers, no matter your stage of life or even if you don’t know where you want to go. It’s possible to search for a career, even through uncertainty, and find fulfillment in your decision. Let’s dig a little deeper into how to start your search.

Do Some Reflecting

 
The best place to start your search if you’re uncertain what you want is to look within. Take some time to do some self-reflection. What are your values? What’s important to you? When you consider your interests, strengths, weaknesses, and the things that drive you on a daily basis, you’ll be able to narrow down specific career paths fairly quickly.

If you’re unsure how to start the self-reflection process, it can be as easy as making a list of hobbies or things that interest you. Or, consider what kind of work environment would better fit your needs. Do you thrive in social settings? How important is a work-life balance to you? Do you need to be able to showcase your creativity?

Explore Your Options

Once you have a better idea of the things that truly matter to you, you can start to explore careers that match up.

Do your research on different industries to see if anything jumps out. What are the roles involved? What education or training is required? You might even consider talking to professionals in those industries to get insider information and a real idea of what specific jobs are like.

Gain Experience

Even if you think you’re interested in a specific career path, it never hurts to dip your toe in the water before fully jumping in. There are usually plenty of opportunities to gain experience in an industry before making a commitment.

Try job shadowing, volunteering, or even taking a part-time job to get your feet wet and get a feel for what to expect. Gaining experience in these ways can feel less overwhelming and help you build confidence before making a final decision.

Lean on the Right People

Searching for a career when you’re uncertain of what you want can feel overwhelming if you’re shouldering the burden on your own. Don’t hesitate to lean on others and seek support throughout your journey.

Consider consulting with a career coach or counselor to talk more about your needs and gain a new perspective. Or find a mentor in a field of interest. They might be able to provide more insight and advice as you make your decision.

It can also be helpful to lean on family and friends. The people who truly know you are often able to help you see things about yourself that you might not realize. Their insight can make certain paths clearer.

If you’re still struggling with what you want, working with an anxiety therapist can help. Not only will therapy allow you to dig deeper into self-reflection, but it can also build your confidence, help you overcome the fear of uncertainty, and help you choose a path forward you feel good about. I’m here to help if you’re at that stage. Don’t hesitate to set up a consultation today.

Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has become increasingly popular as a modality for anxiety, depression, trauma, and so much more. It’s a science-backed approach that allows your mind to reprocess harmful negative thoughts. So, you can shift your perspective and take back control of your personal narrative.

EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy in a variety of ways. While that’s one of its greatest benefits, it’s also often why people hesitate to try it.

If you’re interested in EMDR but looking for more information on what to expect, let’s dig a little deeper into what it is and how it works.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that uses bilateral stimulation to desensitize you to negative thought patterns. Your therapist will use their finger or an object to guide your eyes back and forth while you focus on a specific negative thought.

This process helps to take away the power from that thought. Then, you can reprocess it in a more positive light. EMDR doesn’t take the negative thoughts or experiences away. It simply changes the way you view them, giving you a greater sense of power and control.

How Does EMDR Work?

When you hear things like therapist-guided eye movement, you might think that EMDR has something to do with hypnosis, but that isn’t the case. Instead, the use of bilateral stimulation allows the brain to reprocess negatively-charged memories.

When both sides of the brain are engaged while recalling a negative thought, it can change how a negative memory is stored within your mind. Something that has had a hold on you for years might not seem as intense or overwhelming anymore.

The idea behind EMDR is that negative memories are already stored in the mind. Unfortunately, they’re stored in a maladaptive way. EMDR helps to release them in a way that makes them more adaptable so they can eventually be resolved.

What Are the Benefits?

One of the greatest benefits of this type of therapy is how quickly it works. EMDR is a short-term therapy, and you might start to feel symptom relief in just a few sessions. It’s also a holistic form of healing that focuses on the mind-body connection to help you move forward.

There is some talking involved in EMDR. Your therapist will likely want a brief history. They’ll want to help you focus on specific negative memories, which requires opening up. But it’s not necessarily a type of talk therapy that requires you to share stories for an hour at a time.

In addition to helping with trauma, anxiety, and depression, EMDR can help to boost your self-esteem, improve your sleep habits, reduce stress, and improve your communication efforts. It can have a hugely positive impact on your overall quality of life and make you feel like any negative thoughts or trauma from your past doesn’t have to define you anymore.

What to Expect

There are different phases of the EMDR process. Talking to your therapist about what to expect as you work through those stages is important because bilateral stimulation doesn’t occur every time. Sometimes, there will be more talking. Other times, your therapist might do a body scan to determine where you’re still storing trauma.

The best way to learn more about what EMDR is and how it works is to talk to a therapist you can trust. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help or to ask questions about what to expect from this type of trauma or anxiety therapy. If you want to learn more, I’m happy to provide you with the information you need to start fighting back against the effects of negative thought patterns.

There are plenty of stereotypes about men and high sex drives. Unfortunately, these tropes can do more harm than good when we see them in movies, television shows, and even when they’re talked about in social circles.

The reality is that around 1 in 5 men experience low libido. The stereotypes often portrayed in society about men having a high sex drive can make it more difficult for those men with a low drive to get the help they deserve.

Sound familiar? If you tend to have a low sex drive, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. However, it’s important to find the underlying cause so you can deal with any potential issues that could be lowering your libido.

With that, let’s look at some of the common causes of low sex drive in men and what you can do about it.

Health Issues

Before checking into anything else, you should work with your doctor to make sure there aren’t any underlying medical issues contributing to your low sex drive.

Health conditions like diabetes and other chronic conditions can impact libido. High blood pressure and cholesterol can also play a part.

Medical testing can also help to determine your testosterone levels. If you have low testosterone, it could contribute to low libido and issues like erectile dysfunction. Even certain medications you might already be taking for a health condition could contribute to low libido.

Working with your doctor to get to the bottom of any health conditions and potential symptoms should always be your first step. Low libido might simply be one side effect of something more serious.

Psychological Issues

Once you’ve ruled out physical health issues, you can start to focus on potential psychological factors that could be contributing to your low sex drive.

Depression and anxiety, for example, come with a variety of symptoms. They can both impact your self-esteem. When you see yourself in a negative light, it can impact your desire to have sex. It can also contribute to performance anxiety. You might be so convinced that you’re not good enough that you start to worry about pleasing your partner. As a result, you tend to avoid sex altogether.

Any kind of stress can also contribute to lower libido on a short-term basis, but excessive stress can lead to lower testosterone levels.

Relationship Issues

Sometimes, your lifestyle and things happening around you could be the cause of your low sex drive.

For example, if you’re having problems in your relationship, you might not want to have sex. Even if you’re physically attracted to your partner, sex is an emotional thing. If you’re having trouble working things out, it can cause stress, doubt, and worry. All of those things can decrease your desire and put the idea of sex on the back burner of your mind.

Lifestyle Issues

How you take care of yourself on a daily basis can often have a lot to do with your sex drive. But make sure you know the pros and cons of your actions. Exercise, for instance, is obviously important for your physical and mental health. However, did you know you can over-exercise? Pushing yourself too hard each day can cause fatigue, which can lower your sex drive.

Excessive drinking and even drug use can also be factors of a low libido. Take a look at your lifestyle choices and consider what they might be impacting.

As you can see, there are plenty of common causes of low sex drive in men. But this list isn’t exclusive. If you’re dealing with low libido and still aren’t sure why, let’s talk about it. Call today to set up a consultation for anxiety counseling.

There are plenty of tropes and stereotypes about women having a lower sex drive than men. While multiple studies have shown that sex drive doesn’t vary that much by gender, several potential causes could make you feel like your libido isn’t where it should be.

Low libido in women is more common than you might think. It’s estimated that low libido impacts anywhere from 40-70% of women, and there’s a wide variety of potential reasons.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the most common causes of low libido in women and what you can do to give your sex drive a boost if needed.

Physical Issues

If you struggle with a low sex drive, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure you don’t have any physical or underlying health issues causing a problem. Long-term conditions like heart disease and even thyroid issues can contribute to a low sex drive. Getting those conditions properly diagnosed and treated will help with a variety of symptoms.

If you’re on certain medications, talk to your doctor about how they might be impacting your libido. They may have side effects that directly impact your sex drive.

If you experience pain during sex, vaginal dryness, urinary tract infections, or yeast infections, they could also impact your libido and make sex something at the bottom of your list of desires. Taking care of underlying health issues can sometimes be all it takes to give your sex drive a boost.

Psychological Issues

If physical health issues aren’t causing the problem, it might be time to look within. Psychological issues can have a direct impact on your sex drive and desire. Things like stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma can all play a part in libido issues.

Even self-esteem or body image issues can play a role. If you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, it can make even the idea of sex feel incredibly stressful, leading to a lot of unwanted personal pressure and potential anxiety.

Relationship Issues

Sex isn’t the most important part of a relationship. But it’s a way to foster intimacy and share your desires with your partner. If your relationship is struggling in other areas, those challenges might show up in your sex life or your willingness to participate.

A lack of emotional connection can make a big difference in your relationship. Sex is so much more than just a physical action. It’s an opportunity to be vulnerable with each other. If your emotional connection is suffering, your physical one is likely to struggle, too.

Communication issues can also cause problems. You might have unresolved problems with your partner because you haven’t been able to talk things through. Or, maybe you struggle with expressing your true needs and wants when it comes to sex. Communication struggles can make you feel disconnected, and your sex drive is likely to suffer.

What Can You Do?

Again, one of the best places to start if you’re dealing with a low libido is to talk to your doctor. Everything from hormonal changes to health issues could be causing problems.

But, if you feel like the problem is more psychological, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. There’s no reason why sex in a healthy relationship should cause extra anxiety or stress. If your relationship is struggling, anxiety therapy can help you find out why and offer actionable solutions. Therapy is also a great way to better understand potential mental health struggles so you can start to overcome them.

Don’t be too harsh with yourself if your sex drive is sluggish. Understanding what causes low libido in women can be the first step you need when it comes to finding a solution, and you don’t have to do it on your own. Feel free to contact me for a consultation soon.

Mental health conversations have come a long way in recent years, especially in the professional world. Many businesses across the country have started to prioritize mental wellness, with leaders in those companies educating themselves on the importance of the mental health of their employees.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for every business or even every professional field.

Even in 2025, some stigma remains. Some people in professional settings view mental health issues as weak or as a sign that something is “wrong” with the person dealing with those issues.

So, what can you do to make things different? Let’s look at a few ways you can address mental health stigma in professional fields.

1. Educate Yourself

One of the best ways to be an advocate for mental health is to educate yourself as much as possible. Absorb as much knowledge as you can about different mental health issues, strategies that can help (especially in the workplace), and how corporate America has mishandled mental wellness in the past.

Knowledge is power, and you’ll feel more comfortable discussing mental health issues and the stigma in professional fields if you’re backed by a firm foundation.

2. Promote Positivity

Talk to your managers and employers about creating a positive environment that promotes mental wellness. Every business is different, but encouraging those in power to change outdated policies that could be doing more harm than good is important.

For some, that might include giving employees more time off for mental health days. For others, it might be fostering an environment where it’s okay to talk about those issues openly and those in higher positions leading by example.

Employers can go one step further by offering employee assistance programs that include mental health services and training those in higher positions on how to provide support to employees with mental health issues.

3. Speak Out

If you notice a mental health stigma in your professional place of business, don’t hesitate to speak up about it. Challenge jokes or statements that could be harmful. Educate those making such statements, and don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences.

It can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re the only one speaking out. But millions of people deal with mental health issues. All it takes is one person brave enough to say something for others to come forward eventually. Your strength and dedication could be the open door other employees need to start standing up for themselves and their mental well-being.

4. Start Small

Because the mental health stigma has infiltrated professional fields for so long, things likely aren’t going to change overnight. No matter how committed you are to making a change, it’s important to recognize that your own habits might die hard, as well.

You might not always realize that some of the things you’ve said for years could be harmful to those dealing with mental health issues. Stigmatizing terms like “crazy” might not seem like a big deal, but they contribute to a culture that continues to promote these issues as abnormal.

Start small in your own workplace by focusing on the words you say and the way you approach mental wellness, especially when talking to others. You could be planting a seed of change.

Additionally, it’s essential to make sure you’re prioritizing your own mental health while addressing the stigma in your professional field. Learning more about your mental well-being and addressing potential issues can help lead to destigmatization. It’s always okay to reach out for help. You never know who you could be inspiring along the way. Take that first step by contacting me for an appointment for anxiety counseling today.