By Sandra I. Beekmann, MS, LCMHC-QS, NCC Negative thoughts can feel automatic. A stressful conversation, a missed deadline, or an unexpected setback may quickly trigger thoughts like “I’m failing,” “Nothing ever works out,” or “I can’t handle this.” Over time, these patterns can increase anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. Cognitive restructuring is a therapeutic technique that helps people recognize, challenge, and reframe unhelpful thoughts into more balanced

By Jade Caswell, MA, LMHC Perfectionism is on the rise, with research indicating a 33 percent increase in socially prescribed perfectionism, particularly among younger generations (Curran & Hill, 2017). Perfectionism can fall in three different categories, including self-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism, and other-oriented perfectionism. Self-oriented perfectionism involves individuals placing unrealistic expectations on themselves, while other-orient