From reflections about ourselves to perceptions of our world and others, thoughts are a focus – and fuel – of the typical therapy process.

Thoughts exert a powerful influence over our lived experiences. Yet when we struggle and seek support (professional or otherwise), feelings and actions are also common causes.

Whether or not we live with a mental health disorder, our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are very closely connected. What we think about the world shapes our emotional experience of it,

As a psychologist who works with people struggling with weight issues, I spend a lot of time thinking about the relationship between emotions and food. If you have gained some extra pounds during the COVID pandemic, I have some suggestions about how to deal with weight gain based on your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Some ways we think about our weight and ourselves are helpful, but others can work against you.

Patients often tell me that they don’t see themselves as emotional eaters,