The first book I ever suggested to a client, and one I still recommend 20 years later, is The Four Agreements. One of the agreements is “Don’t take things personally.”

This is the one people struggle with most. When someone says or does something upsetting, it feels personal because it hurts us. To...

Long before I was a psychologist, I had a job as an administrator at a CPA firm. The two male partners who ran the firm were difficult and unreasonable in many ways. But, I had a job, the other people who worked there were good to work with, and the clients were diverse and amazing. [One client was ...

A reader recently sent in this question:

How do you say no to a partner that you realize has an avoidant attachment style? I feel that if I say no or contradict her that will lead to her pulling further away.

This is the core conundrum of people-pleasers and those with anxious attachment style: ho...

Dear Dr. Julie: I haven't spoken to my best friend in a couple of years because before she was married she slept with my boyfriend. I haven't spoken to either of them since I found out. I miss my best friend and I want to be friends with her again but I can't forgive her for what she did. How do I f...

Have you ever found yourself agreeing to do something, only to regret it moments later? Maybe it’s taking on an extra project at work, volunteering for an event, or even saying yes to plans when all you really wanted was a quiet evening at home. It’s easy to fall into the habit of saying "yes" too o...

Dear Dr. Julie: Hi, I've been going through a hard time recently. My mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness and I'm feeling overwhelmed and depressed. To make things worse my best friend has completely abandoned me. I can't believe she did this and it's making things even harder because I don't k...