Eva's Blog

Managing Performance Pressure: Tools for School, Sports, Work, and Life

That moment before a test, a big game, or a work presentation often feels the same: your heart races, your mind speeds up, and suddenly the stakes feel sky-high. Pressure can be motivating, but unmanaged pressure can trip us up, leading to mistakes, stress, or even burnout. Whether you’re a student facing exams, an athlete […]

Mental Rest: Why Your Brain Needs a Break Too

In today’s world, our minds rarely get a true break. Even when our bodies are still, our thoughts often race: planning, solving, worrying, striving. Our society has conditioned us to equate productivity with purpose or worth, and many of us stay in motion from morning until night. Mental rest is more than stopping. Mental rest […]

What is Clinical Hypnosis? A Mind-Body Tool for Mental and Physical Health

When you hear the word “hypnosis,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s a stage show or a movie scene where someone’s swinging a watch and taking control of another person’s mind. But clinical hypnosis couldn’t be more different. In reality, it’s a research-supported therapeutic tool used by licensed health professionals to help individuals tap […]

Understanding Trauma and PTSD: Effective, Evidence-Based Treatment Options

Why is trauma such a frequent topic in mental health conversations today? With increasing awareness, global events, and new research, we’re learning more about how trauma affects the brain and body. Trauma can have a profound impact on a person’s well-being. However, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The difference […]

Building Your Foundation: Physical Health as the Key to Mental Wellness

As we begin a new year, many of us think about ways to improve our lives. Taking care of our physical health—our “health behaviors”—is a powerful way to also care for our mental health. After all, mental health is health. We all have it, and taking care of both our bodies and minds is essential. […]

Finding Peace and Intention Through the Holidays: A Guide to Navigating Year-End Stress and Emotions

The last two months of the year can bring a swirl of excitement and expectation, along with a fair share of stressors that challenge our peace. With all that the holidays represent—whether family, gratitude, giving, or spiritual observance—there can be a quiet pressure to create perfect memories. But this season is as much about reconnecting […]

My Journey as a Clinical Psychologist: From Health Psychology to Sports Performance—A Deep Dive into My Practice

Finding the right healthcare provider, especially a therapist, is a deeply personal decision. Backgrounds matter, and I understand you likely want to know mine before making a decision. While you can find the brief overview in my “About Me” section, this post offers more insight into my professional journey and personal experiences with health and […]

Mental Health in Sports: Lessons from Olympic Athletes

As the world turns its gaze to the grand spectacle of the Olympics, we marvel at the physical prowess, dedication, and achievements of athletes from around the globe. However, behind the scenes of every record-breaking performance and dazzling display of skill lies a crucial element that is increasingly coming to the forefront: mental health. The […]

Breaking Free from the Fear of Disappointing Others: Finding Confidence in Your True Self

Have you ever felt that nagging worry about letting someone down? It’s a common fear, and ironically, the more we worry about disappointing others, the more likely we are to end up doing just that. Let’s take a closer look at this. First, it’s important to recognize that everyone’s emotions are equally valuable—yours included. When […]

When doing what you love starts to feel like work, or better yet becomes your job!

Isn’t that what we all want? As the famous quote from Mark Twain: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I thought of this topic as I was working with athletes who have reached the professional league. All the years of hard work and […]

The Story of Scrooge Can Teach Us About Psychological Growth

The story of Scrooge, famously told in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” is a timeless tale that resonates across various aspects of human experience and has enduring lessons for us as humans, as we learn from our past, practice in our present, to create our future. Here are some key themes and lessons that can […]

Minding Your Heart

Originally published January 28, 2015; edited slightly for posting here. https://view.publitas.com/gulfstream-communications/go-red-for-women/page/1 Most everyone knows they should heed their doctors’ advice, including eating healthily, being physically active., and avoiding use or abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Many also understand that managing stress is beneficial for heart health. The word stress is often used to describe […]

Be the Sun

Be the Sun The sun rises and setsEvery dayAs the sun rises, we riseAs the sun sets, we reset The in-between the rise and the setAnd in-between the set and the riseAre equally important Each is an opportunityTo createTo improveTo restoreTo pursueAnd to beBeBe in yourselfBe in the momentBe Nurturing full awarenessEvery twitch of a […]