Creating Powerful Intentions

Creating Powerful Intentions

“Our intention creates our reality” - Wayne Dyer
“Manifestation: If you intend it, it will come” - Melanie Votaw
“Write it down, Make it happen” - Henriette Anne Klauser

An intention can be defined as: a statement of purpose
or the thought behind the thought…influencing our actions.

The fact is: we move through the world with intent, whether
we mean to or not. So, if we have intentions, what does this
mean? What intentions are we creating unconsciously? What
impact do these intentions have on our lives?
(How often have you ended up somewhere by accident?
Got stuck in a role that no longer serves you?) And what intentions
can we consciously create to influence our behavior, guide our
actions and then shape the possibilities that are open to us.

Speak Freely.
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Sometimes the unconscious intentions we hold like: “I don’t want
to be dragged into”, “I don’t want to be late”, “I don’t want to
seem”, “I don’t want to have an argument”, “I don’t want to be
seen as”, “I don’t want to be unhappy” etc, lead us to outcomes
that seem to be the opposite of our intentions and leave us
wondering why.

The answer is that human brain only understands “positive”
instructions. If you give a negative instruction or create a negative
intention, your brain will only process the “positive” part of the
statement (e.g. “don’t think about pink elephants” or – a great one
for children – “don’t drop that!”). So intend and ask for what you
want instead.

Intentions are different from goals. They are less measurable. They
are more about creating the flavor and direction of the day and
might be the biggest component in creating changes in your life.
If you set an intention to be “inspirational”, “loving”, “dynamic”,
“open and receptive” or “confident and welcoming”, or “present,
engaged and listening” or “respectful”, or “happy and healthy”
this will inform how you show up in the world, how you behave and
the actions that you take. Intention comes before action.

Go Organic Intentions?

There are two stages in creating intentions. The first is awareness;
to surface the intentions we already create in our lives and notice
their impact…this can be a fascinating and illuminating process. We
may think we are operating from one intention, but sometimes find
that we are driven by a quite different (often hidden and conflicting)
intention. This can lead to struggle and frustration.

The second stage is to actively develop a practice of creating and
writing positive intentions. Writing down intentions makes them
even more powerful.

We continue to be amazed at the power of intentions, even those
intentions over which we have “no control” and no influence over
the outcome.

Some examples of created intentions:

We co-create a curious journey of exploration, where anything
is possible and every experience an opportunity for learning.

My intention is to radiate loving energy, kindness and healing.
I welcome positive people and possibilities into my life.

I am open to learning, competent & powerfully present.

Today I am happy, free and live in sunshine.

I work with inspirational people.

I help people and energize myself.

I’m increasing my excellence at playing the guitar.



I truly listen at all levels to my friends, family and
associates, am fascinated by them and their experiences,
thrilled by their successes and passionate about their
learning & development.

I hold a space for co-operation & collaboration,
effortlessly leading to a successful outcome for all.

I plan effectively for the actions I want.

I am fully present, capable and energetic, facilitating
the groups learning and enjoyment. All participants leave
feeling valued, confident and inspired.

I hold a safe space for all participants to fully explore and
express themselves.

My shop

I am naturally aware of the choices in life which serve my
best interests and I effortlessly choose accordingly.

… And more, which are fantastic
I begin again with clarity, determination and optimism!

I am constantly improving myself through personal
development so that I can share what I’ve learned
with others on a daily basis and together, everybody
will achieve more!

It is my clear and ready intention to support the conscious
awakening humanity as a healer and teacher of eloquence,
grace, joy and ease. It is my intention to have 2007 be the
year that serves as the foundation and cornerstone of my
dharma and one in which I fully step into my mastery. It is
my intention to have fun, friends, prosperity and grace in 2007;
and to love and heal all that I touch. I enjoy a fit, healthy,
active old age.

As you can see, intentions are a very personal and potent
force and fit for many a purpose. They can be general and wide
ranging (influencing how we operate in the world on a grand scale
and how we show up in life); they can be more specific
(created to influence particular situations) and everything in between.

NOLO: Your Personal Legal Resource

The bigger intentions we hold in life, the more possibilities
that are available to us. There are no hard and fast rules,
but these guidelines will help you create powerful intentions:

Clear and simple

Stated in the positive (am/can/co-create)

Powerfully written ~ in a way that “juices” you/matters to you

Owned (I am/can/co-create)

Appreciated

Present tense

And remember that your attitude is aligned with your
intentions; your intentions are aligned with values.
Appreciate each experience and how you can grow
from it.

“…being grounded in intention is what provides integrity
and unity in your life. Through the skillful cultivation of
intention, you learn to make wise goals and then to work
hard toward achieving them without getting caught in
attachment to outcome. As I suggested to the yogi, only by
remembering your intentions can you reconnect with yourself
during those emotional storms that cause you to lose touch
with yourself. This remembering is a blessing, because it
provides a sense of meaning in your life that is independent
of whether you achieve certain goals or not. Ironically, by
being in touch with and acting from your true intentions, you
become more effective in reaching your goals than when you
act from wants and insecurities.” Phillip Moffat

We are passionate about sharing this powerful practice; with
each other, friends, family, colleagues, clients… We consciously
use intentions in all aspects of our life and work. We write
intentions for our client programs, often sharing them and
sometimes co-create them with my clients for our work together.
We recommend our clients create intentions and invite you to
join us. (Even when writing about intentions,
we can’t help writing intentions!)




If you haven’t already started to do this, make it your
intention for tomorrow morning. Keep a pad by your bed
and set aside the time just before you get up to write your
daily intentions.

Ask yourself:

What flavor do I want today?
How do I want to feel?
How do I want to be?
WHO do I want to be?
What do I want to have happen today?

If you only make one or two intentions each morning, make
them good ones. Once this practice becomes routine for you,
you’ll begin to notice how well it works and it’ll become even
easier to do more of it. Get clear on your expected results and
expect them to show up. Before you realize, life will be even
better and more abundant than it is now.

So, what’s YOUR intention today? Enjoy.

Slideshow

Socionic's, Psychological ("personality") Types, Quizzes and Label's

Life Happenz believes that we see the world as we are. The more one knows whether this be information gained through experience or literature, the more opportunity one has to increase their personal awareness of themselves and hence, the world at large. Understanding personality types, learning styles and how they may or may not impact you and those in your life can be an essential tool towards responding to your life rather than reacting to it. Make a conscious choice to empower your life by educating yourself.

Read More about Types
What is Socionics?
Take Your Own Quiz
Take The Typology Test based on Jung from HumanMetrics

Take Keirsey's Temperament Sorter 2

Myers-Briggs Test for Programmers

12 Steps to Managing Anger

Anger appears when one is confronted with frustration, unhappiness or hurt feelings, or when plans don't turn out as desired. It also shows up when coming against opposition or criticism.

Anger never helps anyone. It wastes your energy, and can hurt your health, spoil your relationships, and cause you to miss opportunities. Getting angry is acting against your best interests.

Things don't always proceed according to plans and expectations. People not always act the way you wish them to act. You may not be always able to be in control of external influences and conditions, but you can certainly learn to control your attitude and reactions. There is no sense of allowing circumstances and people to pull your strings and affect your mind and feelings. You can choose not to let what people say and do affect your moods. You can maintain an inner attitude of emotional and mental detachment, and refuse to allow every minor event play with your feelings and evoke anger.

I often see people getting angry over unimportant and insignificant matters. Some insignificant remark or action, not getting a satisfactory reply to a question or just moodiness are enough to set fire and cause anger, snappy remarks, arguments and even physical fights. This is absolutely unnecessary. Life can be happier without this behavior.

Anger is a negative reaction, and if you wish to progress on the path of self-improvement or spiritual growth you should avoid it as much as possible.

Learning to calm down the restlessness of the mind and gaining peace of mind, is one of the best and most effective methods to overcome anger, and in fact, all negative emotions.

If you are willing to invest the time and energy, you will reap great rewards. Peace of mind will not only help you overcome anger, but also help you overcome anxiety and negative thinking, and enable you to stay calm, tranquil and self possessed in difficult and trying situations.

Peace of mind requires the development of an attitude of emotional and mental detachment, which is of vital importance for overcoming and avoiding anger. It protects you against being too affected by what people think, say or do, and is therefore highly recommended. Detachment is not an attitude of indifference and lack of sensitivity. It is an attitude of common sense and inner strength and leads to peace of mind.

I would like now to suggest a few simple tips to help you manifest some inner detachment and peace of mind, so as to be in a better position to overcome anger.

1. At least once a day, devote several minutes to thinking on how much your life would be better without anger.

2. When you feel anger arising in you, start breathing deeply and slowly several times.

3. You may, instead of breathing deeply, or better still, in addition to it, count slowly from one to ten. This will delay your angry reaction and weaken it.

4. Drinking some water has a calming effect on the body.

5. Try to be more patient, no matter how difficult it might be.

6. Be more tolerant toward people, even toward people you don't like.

7. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. You can disagree with people, but still maintain tact and diplomacy.

8. Choose to react calmly and peacefully in every situation. Try again and again, regardless of how many times you lose control and get angry.

9. Positive thinking makes it easier to disregard remarks and behavior that otherwise could cause anger.

10. Try to manifest at least some self-control, self-discipline and more common sense.

11. Don't take everything too seriously. It is not worth it.

12. Find reasons to laugh more often.

Author's Bio

Remez Sasson teaches and writes on positive thinking, creative visualization, motivation, self-improvement, peace of mind, spiritual growth and meditation. He is the author of several books, among which are "Peace of mind in Daily Life", "Will Power and Self Discipline", "Visualize and Achieve" and "Affirmations - Words of Power".

Visit his website www.SuccessConsciousness.com, and find articles, advice, guidance and ebooks!

For information on gaining inner peace visit:
www.successconsciousness.com/books/peace-of-mind-in-daily-life.htm

The Law of Attraction!

There is both a natural law and spiritual law and they both work together to give us what we need in life. However, the mind controls all of this and it is up to us to use our minds to work the law of attraction to our advantage. Some people call this “karma” and some call it “like attracts like.” Whatever you want to call it, you can use it to get anything you want.

It is what you think about the most that becomes your reality. So your thoughts must encourage the outcome that you desire. Your thoughts affect your relationships, your money, and your well-being. If you think negative thoughts you will get negative outcomes. If you think positive thoughts, then your outcome will be positive. It is that simple.

An example of this would be someone who wasn’t doing well with his online sales and the first thing words that came out of his mouth was, “I don’t think I am cut out for this.” Guess what, he isn’t cut out of this because that is what he believes and that is what was happening to him. His words framed his world.

The law of attraction is just like the law of gravity. It works all the time and there is nothing you can do to change it. If you change your thoughts to line up with the words that you speak, it will happen for you just as how you speak it.

The question is: are you making the law work for you or are you working against it? The key to examining your life and to find out if this law is working for you is to look at your situation and see if you have everything that you desire. If you don’t, then you are not using this law to attract the things that you want and you are cheating yourself.

You must believe in yourself and talk to yourself if you have to. You are in control of your thoughts. No one can go into your mind and tell you what to think. We know that bad thoughts influence our lives in a negative way. You can train your thoughts to line up to your desires and speak it and it will happen, but you have to believe that it will.

Your destiny is in your own hands. Only you alone can change it. Don’t blame the universe or someone else. The power is in your hands and you can achieve anything you want with the law of attraction.

The law of attraction can bring you success, motivation, self improvement, address issues of depression, give you confidence, Challenge your fears and insecurities, help you to improve yourself and your life partnerships and it can help you on your road to happiness.

One-Liner's To Avoid

One Liners to Avoid in An Argument

Cruel, sarcastic or aggressive wisecracks and retorts can quickly cripple the growth of relationships. Here are some expressions to to shun like the plague, together with kinder (and safer) alternatives.

by Peter Pearson, Ph.D

They slice and dice, causing wounds not easily healed by pacifying words.

They inflame like a blowtorch on tinder.

They suck the life out of all that they touch.

What are they?

They’re the one-liners couples fling at each other during arguments, the cruel and aggressive wisecracks or retorts that escalate a fight like nothing else.

And when these zingers begin to outnumber the kind words spoken to each other, they cripple the growth of relationships.

How to argue without hurting could be the most important relationship survival skill ever

Learning how to communicate well in a conflict — how to argue without hurting and insulting each other — is possibly the most important relationship survival skill ever. It increases personal happiness, relationship satisfaction and peace of mind—and reduces divorce and domestic violence rates.

Here, then, are a few one-liners to avoid, along with suggestions for better alternatives:

1) "That’s not what’s happening here!" This is just one of many versions of the line: “I’m right and you’re wrong!” And whether you say it or just think it, “You’re wrong!” creates a lose-lose situation.

Try this approach instead:, “Well, here’s another perspective or point of view…”

2) “You always…” or “You never…” Starting a sentence with either of these phrases is guaranteed to raise tempers.

Be specific. Talk about a particular incident. Rather than complaining, “You never listen to me,” try something like this: “When you respond that way, I conclude you don’t want to understand me in the way I’d like you to.”.

3) “You really know how to hurt me.” This line suggests that the other person is intentionally trying to hurt you. It also implies that someone other than yourself has power over what you feel. It places you in the role of emotional “victim.” But you’re not a victim--you have choices whether or not to be hurt by someone’s actions.

Try this instead: “What you just said/did really stung. It was especially painful because…”

4) "How can you be that way?” This isn’t really a question. It’s an assault that implies, “You’re a terrible/insensitive person, and you should be ashamed of yourself."

Try this instead: “When you did/said that, it really hurt. I don’t know if you intended to hurt me, or if you were frustrated yourself about something. Can you help me understand why you did that?”

This is communication under stress at its highest level. You not only avoid defending yourself by explaining the pain you are in, you actually investigate the distress your partner is in. This can make it much easier for your partner to hear the impact of what they did on you.

Of course, these are mild, compared to the doozies we come up with in the heat of an argument. But for love to flourish and deepen, for healthy and long-lasting relationships, we need to learn how to incorporate acceptance, self-understanding, compassion and tolerance into our conflicts.

And maybe one-liners like, “I love you!”

Peter Pearson, Ph.D., and his wife Dr. Ellyn Bader - authors, speakers and therapists - are founders of The Couples Institute in Menlo Park, CA. Since 1984, they have been helping people create extraordinary relationships. They have been featured on over 50 radio and TV programs. For more information, and to subscribe to their free newsletter Love That Lasts, visit: http://www.couplesinstitute.com. Also check out their new website with free audio clips for couples who want to improve their relationship.

Communicating Across Cultures

by Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D

Two psychiatrists meet on the street. One psychiatrist says to the other, "How are you?" The second psychiatrist nods, hurries away and thinks, "I wonder what he meant by that?"

If communicating person to person can be so difficult, then it's a safe bet that communicating across cultures will add layers of complexity to the difficulty.

Each culture has rules that its members take for granted. Few of us are aware of our own cultural biases because cultural imprinting is begun at a very early age. And while some of culture's knowledge, rules, beliefs, values, phobias and anxieties are taught explicitly, most of it is absorbed subconsciously.

Take this scene in a Chinese cemetery. Watching a Chinese reverently placing fresh fruit on a grave, an American visitor asked, "When do you expect your ancestors to get up and eat the fruit?" The Chinese replied, "As soon as your ancestors get up and smell the flowers."

The challenge for multinational communication has never been greater. Worldwide business organizations have discovered that intercultural communication is a subject of importance - not just because they have to deal increasingly with globalization, but also because the work force within their own national borders is growing more and more diverse, ethnically and culturally.

We are all individuals, and no two people belonging to the same culture are guaranteed to respond in exactly the same way. However, generalizations are valid to the extent that they provide clues on what you will most likely encounter when dealing with members of a particular culture.

High-context or low-context

All international communication is influenced by cultural differences. Even the choice of medium used to communicate may have cultural overtones.

For example, it has been noted that advanced industrialized nations rely heavily on electronic technology and emphasize written messages over oral or face-to-face communication. Certainly the United States, Canada and Germany exemplify this trend.

But Japan, which has access to the latest technologies, still relies more on face-to-face communications than on the written mode. The determining factor in medium preference may not be the degree of industrialization, but rather whether the country falls into a high-context or low-context culture.

In some cultures, personal bonds and informal agreements are far more binding than any formal contract. In others, the meticulous wording of legal documents is viewed as paramount.

High-context cultures (Mediterranean, Slav, Central European, Latin American, African, Arab, Asian, American-Indian) leave much of the message unspecified - to be understood through context, nonverbal cues, and between-the-lines interpretation of what is actually said.

By contrast, low-context cultures (most of the Germanic and English-speaking countries) expect messages to be explicit and specific. The former are looking for meaning and understanding in what is not said - in body language, in silences and pauses, and in relationships and empathy. The latter place emphasis on sending and receiving accurate messages directly, and by being precise with spoken or written words.

The business challenge for someone from a low-context culture is to realize the importance of building and maintaining personal relationships when dealing with high-context cultures.

"The most important thing I learned on my international assignment was not to rush meetings with the typical 'American take-charge attitude.' I was present when the outgoing chief took the new officer to meet a key contact - and I watched, helpless and horrified, as the new man destroyed in five seconds what the incumbent had taken a year to build. Undoubtedly the new chief thought he was creating the impact of a hard-charging young executive, but in reality he was tearing down a delicate relationship." -- Major, U.S. Air Force

Sequential or synchronic

Some cultures think of time sequentially - as a linear commodity to "spend," "save," or "waste." Other cultures view time synchronically - as a constant flow to be experienced in the moment, and as a force that cannot be contained or controlled.

A friend from Venezuela was invited to a party in the States. The hours on the invitation were stated as 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This was almost inconceivable to the Venezuelan. "How can anyone know when the party will be over?" she asked. To her way of thinking, a party can't be "timed." It begins when it begins and ends when it ends.

Whether time is perceived as a commodity or a constant determines the meaning and value of being "on time." Think of the misunderstandings that can occur when one culture views arriving late for a meeting as bad planning or a sign of disrespect, while another culture views an insistence on timeliness as childish impatience.

In sequential cultures (like North American, English, German, Swedish, and Dutch), businesspeople give full attention to one agenda item after another. In many other parts of the world, professionals regularly do several things at the same time. I once cashed a check at a Panamanian bank where the teller was counting my money, talking to a customer on the phone, and admiring the baby in the arms of the woman behind me. To her, it was all business as usual.

The American commoditization of time not only serves as the basis for a "time is money" mentality, it can lead to a fixation on timelines that plays right into the hands of savvy negotiators from other cultures.

A Japanese executive explained: "All we need to do is find out when you are scheduled to leave the country - and, by the way, it amuses us that you arrive with your return passage already booked. We wait until right before your flight to present our offer. By then, you are so anxious to stay on schedule, you'll give away the whole deal."

In synchronic cultures (including South America, southern Europe and Asia) the flow of time is viewed as a sort of circle - with the past, present, and future all inter-related. This viewpoint influences how organizations in those cultures approach deadlines, strategic thinking, investments, developing talent from within, and the concept of "long-term" planning.

There's a joke about an American and a Chinese businessman sitting on a park bench in Hong Kong. The American is saying, "Well, you know I've been in Hong Kong for my company for thirty years. Thirty years! And in a few days they are sending me back to the States." The Chinese executive replies, "That's the problem with you Americans: here today and gone tomorrow."

Orientation to the past, present, and future is another aspect of time in which cultures differ.

Americans believe that the individual can influence the future by personal effort, but since there are too many variables in the distant future, we favor a short-term view. This gives us an international reputation of "going for the quick buck" and being interested only in the next quarterly return. Even our relationships seem to be based on a "what have you done for me lately?" pragmatism.

Synchronistic cultures have an entirely different perspective. The past becomes a context in which to understand the present and prepare for the future. Any important relationship is a durable bond that goes back and forward in time, and it is often viewed as grossly disloyal not to favor friends and relatives in business dealings.

Affective or neutral

With much angry gesturing, an Italian manager referred to the idea of his Dutch counterpart as "crazy." The Dutch manager replied. "What do you mean, crazy? I've considered all the factors, and I think this is a viable approach. And calm down! We need to analyze this, not get sidetracked by emotional theatrics."

At that point, the Italian walked out of the meeting.

In international business practices, reason and emotion both play a role. Which of these dominates depends upon whether we are affective (readily showing emotions) or emotionally neutral in our approach.

Members of neutral cultures do not telegraph their feelings, but keep them carefully controlled and subdued. In cultures with high affect, people show their feelings plainly by laughing, smiling, grimacing, scowling - and sometimes crying, shouting, or walking out of the room.

This doesn't mean that people in neutral cultures are cold or unfeeling. (All cultures will express irrepressible joy or grief.) But in the course of normal business activities, neutral cultures are more careful to monitor the amount of emotion they display.

Research conducted with people who were upset about something at work, noted that only some cultures supported expressing those feelings openly. Emotional reactions were found to be least acceptable in Japan, Indonesia, the U.K., Norway and the Netherlands - and most accepted in Italy, France, the U.S. and Singapore.

Reason and emotion are part of all human communication. When expressing ourselves, we look to others for confirmation of our ideas and feelings. If our approach is highly emotional, we are seeking a direct emotional response: "I feel the same way." If our approach is highly neutral, we want an indirect response: "I agree with your thoughts on this."

It's easy for people from neutral cultures to sympathize with the Dutch manager and his frustration over trying to reason with "that excitable Italian." After all, an idea either works or it doesn't work - and the way to test the validity of an idea is through trial and observation.

That just makes sense - doesn't it? Well, not necessarily to the Italian who felt the issue was deeply personal, and who viewed any "rational argument" as totally irrelevant!

When it comes to communication, what's proper and correct in one culture may be ineffective or even offensive in another.

Culture is, basically, a set of shared values that a group of people holds. Such values affect how you think and act and, more importantly, the kind of criteria by which you judge others. Cultural meanings render some behaviors as normal and right and others strange or wrong.

In reality, cultures are not right or wrong, better or worse; they are just different. In today's global business community, there is no single best approach to communicating with one another.

The key to cross-cultural success is to develop an understanding of, and a deep respect for, the differences.

Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman, president of Kinsey Consulting Services, specializes in energizing individuals and organizations to thrive in an environment of constant change. Carol presents keynote addresses and seminars for management conferences and association conventions. She delivers speeches and seminars to business and government clients. She coaches executives to become more effective leaders of change.

Carol is the author of of nine books, including This Isn't the Company I Joined" - How to Lead in a Business Turned Upside Down and Ghost Story: A Modern Business Fable, about the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing. She can be reached at through her website: http://www.CKG.com by email: cgoman@CKG.com

The Credentials

Academic Degrees

Ph.D.
Doctor of philosophy. This academic degree is earned in four to seven years. Many psychologists, therapists, counselors and coaches hold a doctorate of philosophy. A Ph.D. in psychology teaches theory as well as statistics and data gathering. Many Ph.D.s go on to work in academic settings, as researchers and professors. Psychologists with a Ph.D. are also fully trained in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions, from anxiety and depression to anger and resentment. (American Psychological Association)

Psy.D.
Doctor of psychology. The Psy.D. is a terminal degree, like a Ph.D. However, the Psy.D. focuses on therapy and counseling rather than research. The degree was developed in the late 1960s to address the need for practitioners. In the last 30 years, the Psy.D. has become increasingly popular. (American Psychological Association)

M.A. (or M.S., M.C.)
A master of arts, master of science, or master of counseling can be earned in counseling, psychology or related fields. It usually requires two years of post-collegiate study. Many M.A. programs also require a thesis. Many counselors and social workers hold a master's degree, and many Ph.D. psychologists earn a master's en route to earning their doctoral degree. (American Psychological Association)

M.D.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of clinical training in mental health specialties. Psychiatrists treat emotional and mental disorders and are licensed to prescribe medication. These professionals may treat psychiatric disorders with therapy in conjunction with psychotropic medications. (American Psychiatric Association)

M.S.W.
Master of social work. A social worker works with an individual in the context of the wider community. He or she helps those dealing with domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse or foster-care issues, among many others. Social workers often practice therapy on their own or in settings such as schools, clinics, or government agencies. The MSW typically requires two to four years of study. (National Association of Social Workers)

Ed.D.
Doctor of education. Professionals with Ed.Ds practice therapy just as those with Ph.Ds. Many of these professionals are trained in child development and education, sometimes with a focus on educational planning and assessment. Some work as school superintendents, principals or directors of nonprofit organizations. The M.Ed. is a master's level degree in education that typically takes two years to earn. A total of four years of study is usually necessary to receive an Ed.D. (American Psychological Association)

Professional Licenses

L.C.S.W. (or A.C.S.W., L.C.S., L.I.C.S.W., C.S.W.)
The licensed clinical social worker has a graduate academic degree, has completed supervised clinical work experience and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced practitioner holds a license that allows him or her to receive health-care insurance reimbursements. (National Association of Social Workers)

L.M.F.T. (or M.F.C.C.)
The licensed marriage and family therapist has a graduate academic degree (a 2- to 3-year master's degree or a 3- to 5-year doctoral degree), clinical work experience and has passed a state-certified licensing exam. Most states offer this license. Along with the two- to three-year full-time masters programs with a practicum and internship, LMFTs are required to complete 1,000 hours of individual or family therapy with 100 hours of supervision. This can take one to three years. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

L.P. (or NCPsyA)
The licensed psychoanalyst has obtained his license from the state department of education (requirements vary from state to state). Recipients must have a master's degree or higher, and completed psychoanalytic study in a program deemed qualified by the state DOE. The L.P. must complete a supervised psychoanalysis program and pass a state-certified examination. (New York State Department of Education)

L.P.C. (or L.C.P.C., L.M.H.C., D.A.C., M.F.C.C.)
Licensed professional counselor or licensed mental health counselor. A licensing qualification is granted to those who have advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience and have passed a state-certified licensing examination. (American Counseling Association)

Additional Credentials You May Find in the Therapy Directory

A.P.R.N. (or A.P.N., A.R.N.P.P., M.H.N.)
Advanced practice registered nurses (A.P.R.N.) have a master's degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. These nurses are eligible to be licensed as therapists. A.P.R.N.s provide a range of primary mental health care services to individuals, families, and groups, and function as psychotherapists, educators, consultants, advanced case managers or administrators. Many states require certification by a national body prior to practicing. Once licensed, A.P.R.N.s are authorized to prescribe medications. (American Nursing Association)

A.T.R.
Registered art therapist. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy and hold a master's degree in art therapy or a related field. Art therapists work with individuals, couples, families or groups. They often work as part of a team in settings such as community outreach programs, schools, nursing homes, corporations and independent practices. (American Art Therapy Association, Art Therapy Credentials Board)

D.Min
The doctor of ministry is an advanced professional degree for those in the practice of ministry. It differs from a Ph.D. in that its focus is on competence in the practice of ministry rather than on advanced academic research. There are different tracks of study: in Pastoral Ministry, for example, degree candidates must first receive a master of divinity or the equivalent, and have at least three years' experience in full-time pastoral ministry. (The Association of Theological Schools)

B.C.D.
Board certified diplomate. This board certification is granted to practitioners—whether they are social workers, counselors, psychologists, among other mental health professionals. These individuals have demonstrated a high level of competency and experience in their field.

Finally, some therapists don't have formal training. These providers are not subject to state regulation, and are not covered by health insurance or included in Psychology Today's Therapy Directory. Be wary, but don't immediately discount a provider simply because he or she doesn't have a diploma. Plenty of able professionals are among them.

A.B.P.P.
Board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (A.B.P.P.). Certification assures that specialists have successfully completed the educational, training, and experience requirements, including an examination designed to assess competency.

N.C.C.
The Nationally Certified Counselor is the certification issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), an independent organization that grew out of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The NBCC is an independent certification body. NBCC and ACA work together to further the profession of counseling. The ACA concentrates on membership association activities such as conferences, professional development, publications and government relations. The NBCC focuses on promoting quality counseling through certification. NBCC's flagship credential is the National Certified Counselor (NCC). It also offers specialty certification in several areas: school counseling: the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC); clinical mental health counseling: the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC); addictions counseling: the Master Addictions Counselor (MAC). (National Board of Certified Counselors)

What's Your Orientation?

Therapy methods abound. But what will work best for you? Here's a list:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Emphasizes the role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. CBT stresses the fact that thoughts, rather than people or events, cause our negative feelings. CBT is a structured collaboration between therapist and client and often calls for homework assignments. Brief and time-limited, CBT includes rational emotive behavior therapy and cognitive therapy.

Eclectic
Many practitioners now take an eclectic approach by using various methods including cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy, for example. Therapists often work with their clients to create a treatment plan that encompasses different techniques and orientations.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
An information-processing therapy that helps clients cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions or phobias. The patient focuses on a specific thought, image, emotion or sensation while simultaneously following the therapist's finger. This causes swift eye movements that loosen one's memory and allow negative memories to be reprocessed with positive ones.

Forensic Psychology
A forensic psychologist holds a doctorate degree with additional study in the field of forensics. These professionals offer expert legal opinion in both criminal and civil cases. Their work can range from psychological autopsies to evaluating a person's psychological competency to stand trial. In addition, forensic psychologists provide treatment to people whose situations or behavior have brought them into contact with the courts.

Humanistic Therapy
Through this method, which emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual, practitioners help their clients realize their potential. The individual works toward this goal through change and self-directed growth. Also known as client-centered psychotherapy, the humanistic method is an umbrella term for gestalt and Rogerian approaches, as well as existential theories of therapy.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT is a short-term psychotherapy in which therapist and client identify the issues and problems of interpersonal relationships. They also explore the client's life history to help recognize problem areas and then work toward ways to rectify them. There are also specific therapies, such as Imago therapy, which focus on intimate relationships. In addition, interpersonal therapy is not to be confused with transpersonal psychology, which is the study of states in which people experience a deeper sense of who they are, or a sense of greater connectedness with others, nature or spirituality.

Marriage and Family Therapy
Family influences the way we interact and communicate with others. In this type of therapy, the provider works with family members, both individually and as a group. The therapist reinforces the constructive aspects of a relationship and, at the same time, identifies the destructive elements. Marital therapy assists couples in finding problem-solving strategies.

Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is also known as insight-oriented therapy. It evolved from Freudian psychoanalysis in which the therapist interprets the patient's words and behaviors. This approach holds that bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness promotes insight and resolves conflict. This therapy involves more frequent sessions than CBT does.

Psychological Testing
Psychological testing is used to describe a wide variety of evaluations, but when applied strictly, the term refers to tests administered in clinical settings. Tests are devised to make a psychological assessment based on answers a client gives the examiner. Neuropsychological testing, for example, addresses problems with cognitive functioning and can require hours of testing. Nonprofessionals, such as potential employers or educational institutions, now commonly administer achievement or aptitude tests to evaluate potential candidates. In addition, intelligence tests and personality tests are offered through Internet sites. Psychology Today offers tests in such areas as career, health, personality and IQ.

Additional Therapy Methods

Adlerian/Individual Psychology
Founded by Alfred Adler, Adlerian psychology is based on the belief that all human behavior has a purpose and is goal-oriented. We strive for social connectedness, as well as suffer emotional difficulties because of feelings of inferiority and lack of a sense of community. True change and growth results from identifying, exploring and changing mistaken goals and beliefs. Therapy is seen as a re-education leading to greater social participation and fewer feelings of inferiority.

Art Therapy
The use of art and creativity may lead to greater self-knowledge. Accessing creativity may be helpful in identifying emotional issues and can help in the healing process.

Biofeedback
A therapy that uses electronic systems to monitor heart rate, brain waves or perspiration to help individuals become aware of their physiological responses and learn to control them.

Christian/Bible-Based
This approach to counseling is founded on the Bible and on the belief that Scripture should be the final authority for what kinds of decisions people make and how they live their life.

Client-Centered
Clients are in the best position to resolve their issues if the therapist can establish a warm, accepting and safe environment in which the individual feels free to talk about issues and can gain insight into them. This therapy is nondirective because the therapist typically does not give advice or make interpretations. Founder Carl Rogers believed that people are trustworthy and have a great potential for self-awareness and self-directed growth, given a nurturing environment. The function of the therapist is to be genuine, accepting and empathic. Techniques are less important.

Dream Analysis
Determining the meaning of dreams through symbols, myths, free association and memories may help clients process their issues. There are a variety of philosophies and approaches for analyzing dreams, including Adlerian (dreams are projections of a person's current concerns), Gestalt (every person and object in a dream represents an aspect of the dreamer), and psychoanalytic (dreams are a key to what is happening in a person's unconscious).

Existentialism
A philosophy of life, rather than a specific therapy, existentialism focuses on free will, responsibility for choices and the search for meaning and purpose through suffering, love and work. People are seen as constantly changing and becoming more their true selves. Searching within and finding one's own answers is encouraged. Emphasis is on the present and future, not the past.

Family Systems
This therapy looks at the entire family as a complex system having its own language, roles, rules, beliefs, needs and patterns. Each family member plays a part in the system, and family systems therapy helps an individual discover how her childhood family operated, her role in that system and how the experience affects her in her current family.

Feminist Therapy
This therapy focuses on empowering women and helping them discover how to break free from traditional molds that may be blocking growth and development. Feminist therapy tends to be more focused on strengthening women in areas such as communication, assertiveness, self-esteem and relationships.

Gestalt
Known as an experiential therapy, gestalt emphasizes what is happening in the here and now, helping individuals to become more self-aware and to learn responsibility for and integration of their thoughts, feelings and actions. Techniques include confrontation, role-playing and dialogue between two parts of a personality. This therapy is based on the belief that to reach maturity, people must find their own way in life and accept responsibility for who they are.

Jungian (Analytical Psychology)
The focus of Jungian therapy is to help people access their unconscious to develop greater self-realization and individuation. Founder Carl. G. Jung's theory is psychoanalytic, but differs from traditional Freudian theory. Jung added the concepts of individuation (human potential), which includes transcendence and spirituality. People are seen in a positive light, and therapy considers the soul, which seeks to be nurtured by something larger than the self.

Life Coaching
Life coaching is a new type of therapy that helps healthy people to realize their goals in work, family and life. Although many psychologists also consider part of their treatment to be a form of life coaching, this therapy doesn't focus on treating mental illness. Executive coaches, for example, may be enlisted to help a chief executive become a better manager.

Psychoanalysis
Founded by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis is based on the belief that true change and growth comes from an individual gaining more self-awareness. One must bring unconscious thoughts, motivations, feelings and experiences into the conscious so that behavior is based more on reality than instinct. Key concepts: Behavior is determined by unconscious motivations, irrational forces, instinctual drives and psychosexual events occurring during the first six years of life. Classical psychoanalysis is an intensive and long-term process with a focus on transference (transferring feelings about and reactions to past significant others onto the therapist) and uncovering unconscious material. Essentially, psychoanalysis strives for fundamental reconstruction of individual's total personality.

Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)
According to RET, our emotions result from our beliefs, interpretations and reactions to life events. A type of cognitive therapy, RET is based more on thinking and doing than with the expression of feelings. Founder Albert Ellis is known as the father of RET and the grandfather of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Self-Psychology
Basing this method on the works of Freud and Jung, founder Heinz Kohut added the element of empathy. Self-psychology is a mode of psychoanalytic treatment that states that each individual's self-esteem and vitality derive from and are maintained by the empathic responsiveness of others to his or her needs.

Social-Learning Therapy
In this form of therapy, desirable behavior is modeled for clients, then reinforced and mimicked.

Solution-Focused
Most psychological problems are present only intermittently. People with panic disorder do not spend every minute in a panic; even depression fluctuates in severity. Solution-focused therapy tries to help the patient notice when symptoms are diminished or absent and use this knowledge as a foundation for recovery. If a patient insists that the symptoms are constant and unrelieved, the therapist works with him to find exceptions and make the exceptions more frequent, predictable and controllable. This therapy builds on working solutions already available to the patient.

Transactional Analysis
A system of psychotherapy, it analyzes personal relationships and interactions in terms of conflicting or complementary ego states that correspond to the roles of parent, child and adult.

Transpersonal
This branch of psychology is concerned with the study of states and processes in which people experience a deeper or wider sense of who they are—or a sense of greater connectedness with others, nature or the spiritual dimension. Transpersonal psychology extends into consciousness studies, spiritual inquiry, mind-body relationships and transformation. Carl Jung first coined the term transpersonal (uberpersonlich) when he used the phrase transpersonal unconscious as a synonym for collective unconscious.

The Professionals

The mental health world has many types of professionals, each with different training, different qualifications, and a different approach. Licenses may be important if you're looking for a therapist who can prescribe medication or who is expert in a particular problem like drug addiction. But in general, good therapy is more about finding a therapist who works well with you. Because most of us aren't quite clear on the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and coaches, here's a rough field guide:

Counselor
Counselors have a master's level degree in a field such as counseling, psychology, or substance abuse treatment, and generally must complete two years of supervised practice before obtaining a license. Like social workers, they work in private practice as well as in schools and hospitals. They often treat people dealing with problems such as alcoholism, addiction or eating disorders, usually for short periods of time. Some specialize in a certain area such as marriage, family and child counseling. (American Counseling Association)

Life Coach
Life coaching is a popular new profession that has no specific licensing or academic requirements. Although many psychologists also consider themselves life coaches, these therapists don't focus on treating mental illness. Instead, they help healthy people realize their goals in work, family and life. Executive coaches, for example, may be enlisted to help a chief executive become a better manager. Some associations are in the process of establishing professional guidelines for life coaches. (Association of Coach Training Organizations)

Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists, (L.M.F.T.s), receive master's or doctoral degrees specializing in family and interpersonal dynamics. They treat individuals in the context of family relationships, addressing issues from anger and resentment to intimacy and communication skills. Treatment with a marriage and family therapist is typically brief (20 sessions or less) and solution-focused. Since 1970, the number of practitioners has increased substantially, and the number of states licensing marriage and family therapists. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of specialized mental health training. Psychiatrists treat the full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists sometimes use psychotropic medication in conjunction with therapy to treat psychiatric disorders. (American Psychiatric Association)

Psychoanalyst
Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy based on the theories of Freud and his successors, wherein the patient explores his or her patterns of thinking and behavior--often originating in various childhood developmental phases--through free-association and identification with the analyst. A certified psychoanalyst earns a postgraduate degree in psychology or psychiatry and then spends an additional eight to ten years of training in psychoanalysis, which includes undergoing analysis themselves. Psychoanalysts treat patients intensively--treatment lasts for five to ten years on average, with at least three or four sessions per week. (American Psychoanalytic Association)

Psychologist
Psychology has two doctoral degrees: a Ph.D., a doctor of philosophy, or a Psy.D., doctor of psychology. Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology emphasize theory and research methods and prepare students for either academic work or careers as practitioners. The Psy.D., which was created in the late 1960s to address a shortage of practitioners, emphasizes training in therapy and counseling. Psychologists with either degree can practice therapy but are required to complete several years of supervised practice before becoming licensed. (American Psychological Association)

Social Worker
Social workers commonly hold a master of social work degree, or M.S.W., and have completed two years of supervised practice in order to obtain their clinical licenses. While many work in private practice, social workers often work in schools, community clinics and government agencies. (National Association of Social Workers)

How to Choose a Therapist

Is life going up in flames? Are you suffering through a nasty divorce, a devastating layoff or even prolonged depression? Life's difficulties are hard to avoid, and we might get stuck in them and not see a way out. That's when getting help from a professional may be imperative.

But how do you go about finding the right help? Wisdom, life experience and empathy are vital in a therapist. After all, he or she will have to teach you the skills you need to manage life. A great place to begin your search is in Psychology Today's Therapy Directory. Here are some things to consider when searching for the right match:

Location, Location
Proximity is actually very important. People make excuses when it comes to therapy: "I can't make my appointment today because it's too far..." Location should not become an obstacle. If there are no therapists in your zip code, try those in a town nearby.

Comfort Level
Check out the photo profiles of therapists in your area. Do you think you'll be comfortable discussing the secrets of your life with this person?

Ask yourself if you'll be more comfortable with a male or female therapist. Or, if you need one who speaks Spanish, Chinese or Arabic.

The Right Stuff
Find a professional who has treated people with problems similar to those you face. Often a therapist focuses on specific issues such as eating disorders, sexual dysfunction or mood disorders. You can custom search the Directory to find therapists who specialize in these areas. And, of course, find out what treatment the therapist employs as well as his results.

Sometimes a therapist works closely with particular populations such as adolescents, gay couples or people of particular religious backgrounds. Be sure to learn your therapist's focus.

Psych Basics
Ph.D., M.D., Psy.D., M.S.W.-don't fuss over credentials and degrees. What you really need is a therapist who will connect with you. But if you want to decipher a provider's credentials and differentiate psychologists and psychiatrists from family therapists and social workers, see Psychology Today's professionals. All Directory therapists are trained and licensed.

The Methods
Therapists have certain methods and orientations. Some use cognitive behavioral therapy, for example. A variety of methods are effective. However, if you want to learn more about therapy methods, see Psychology Today's article What's Your Orientation?.

Make Contact
Contact two or three therapists. You will most likely get voicemail. Don't hang up; leave your name and number.

On your first visit, ask yourself, "Do we click?" Do you feel a connection with your therapist? For you to reveal yourself, you will need to feel safe and at ease. The first session is normally free, so if you don't click, move on to the next one.

In The Pocket
When you do settle on a therapist, settle on fee beforehand. You may also need to inquire about a sliding-scale arrangement-a flexible fee schedule adjusted to your needs or income.

There's a confusing array of insurance arrangements-HMO's, MBHO's, private pay. But the first thing you need to do is check with your carrier. Make a list of questions, including how many visits the insurer will pay for, does the carrier cover a percentage of cost only, the difference between providers who are in-network and out-of-network, and is primary care physician approval required.

After the carrier has answered all your queries, ask your therapist about coverage too. Bring up matters such as co-payment, how other patients handle insurance and payment, or whether your diagnosis will go on your record. Arm yourself with information, so you don't end up with surprises.

Additional Considerations

Sharing Values
Equally critical is sharing the same values. One would think that psychotherapy is value-free, but finding a therapist who shares your beliefs is necessary. You are building a relationship, so starting at the core is important. If struggling with a partner in a relationship has brought you to therapy, for example, you certainly want to know how the therapist feels about cohabitation before marriage.

Are You Listening?
Does your therapist have good listening skills? Don't laugh, but you need to be sure she is attentive and hears what you have to say. That's why it's called talk therapy. Is she asking the right questions, is she asking enough of them?

Too Eager
A therapist shouldn't be too eager to please. Say you suffer from self-esteem problems, it does no good if the therapist does nothing more than flatter you. Instead, choose one who will challenge you. You will want one who is proactive and perhaps gives you assignments. She might ask you to read up on your issues or to conduct an experiment. The road to good mental health takes work.

Ask the provider how long therapy should last. Don't accept a vague answer. If the person is experienced, he or she should have an idea of what you can expect.

Detailed listings for psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and counselors are available throughout the United States and Canada. Choose a state to begin your search.

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