Human psychology

  Building Self-Confidence: It's not unusual for  teens  to avoid answering questions in front of others because they're too shy or too afraid of being wrong. It might help to know that many famous thinkers have suffered from this fear. Sometimes a lack of self-confidence stems merely from a lack of experience. You may not feel so confident about answering questions out loud, taking the  SAT test , or acting in a stage play if you've never done it before. These feelings will change as you grow and experience more things in your life. A lack of self-confidence can stem from feelings of insecurity. Sometimes we have bad feelings about ourselves and we bury them deep inside. When we do this, we tend not to assert ourselves and take chances because we fear our "secrets" will be revealed. If your lack of self-confidence stems from bad feelings you harbor about yourself, you are also experiencing something perfectly normal and common. But it's a normal feeling that

  10 Ways Therapists Can Strengthen the Therapeutic Relationship According to a 2012 meta-analysis, 20% of clients prematurely leave therapy. For many, difficulties opening up and sharing their emotions motivate the decision to drop out. Successful therapy depends on a client honestly sharing their experiences and behavior. Yet many clients have spent a lifetime avoiding or concealing the very things they most need to discuss in therapy. Many people harbor secret thoughts, feelings, and  shame . Sharing these with a stranger, even a therapist, can be difficult. It takes time for a therapist to earn a client’s trust, and therapists should not expect that all clients will immediately open up.  Mandy Rubin , a licensed professional  counselor in Denver, Colorado , explains how therapists can help clients feel comfortable from the start of their first session. "At the outset of therapy, it is vital to level the playing field—openly ask for the client’s expectations for therapy and gen

  How to Get In Touch with Your Emotions: How can you manage your feelings if you don’t know what they are? Only about one-third of adults can accurately identify their emotions, according to the bestselling book  Emotional Intelligence 2.0 . Maybe you were discouraged from expressing your feelings when you were growing up. Maybe you judge yourself harshly for becoming angry with your children or jealous of your partner. Whatever the reason,  bottling things up could be holding you back.  Discover a new and more constructive approach to getting in touch with your emotions. Benefits of Connecting with Your Emotions: Gain self-knowledge.  Increasing your self-awareness enables you to develop and grow. You can clarify your goals and direct your energies toward the activities that are meaningful to you. It’s the first step in living with a sense of purpose instead of operating on autopilot. Enhance your relationships. Understanding yourself and others also makes greater intimacy possible.