Intimacy, A Path Toward Spirituality

Relationships

3 Practices to Make You More Likable

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on April 28, 2024

We all want to be liked, but many of us don't have the easy, comfortable friendships we'd love to have. Here are positive ways to make yourself more approachable and likable.

We all want to be liked, but many of us don't have the easy, comfortable friendships we'd love to have. Here are positive ways to make yourself more approachable and likable.

Relationships

3 Keys to a More Potent Intimacy

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on April 2, 2024

We want relationships that are intimate and connected, but how do we create them? Three practices can help create the emotional and sexual intimacy we desire.

We want relationships that are intimate and connected, but how do we create them? Three practices can help create the emotional and sexual intimacy we desire.

Body Image

3 Qualities That Really Make Us Beautiful

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on February 29, 2024

We're conditioned to pursue external beauty to gain the rewards of love and acceptance. But this old operating system may not deliver the goods we desire.

We're conditioned to pursue external beauty to gain the rewards of love and acceptance. But this old operating system may not deliver the goods we desire.

Happiness

The Problem With Striving for Fun Rather Than Abiding in Joy

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on January 18, 2024

We're often told we need to have more fun. But does this add pressure and lead to self-judgment? The alternative is to find a way to experience more joy.

We're often told we need to have more fun. But does this add pressure and lead to self-judgment? The alternative is to find a way to experience more joy.

People-Pleasing

3 Keys to Moving Beyond Caring What People Think About Us

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on January 2, 2024

It's only human to want to be loved and accepted. But how often do we abandon ourselves to gain this elusive acceptance? It is essential to stay connected to ourselves.

It's only human to want to be loved and accepted. But how often do we abandon ourselves to gain this elusive acceptance? It is essential to stay connected to ourselves.

Relationships

Your Perfect Right to Be Wrong

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on December 4, 2023

We are conditioned to believe we need to be right about everything. A shame-driven perfectionism is destructive to our lives, our relationships, and even our politics.

We are conditioned to believe we need to be right about everything. A shame-driven perfectionism is destructive to our lives, our relationships, and even our politics.

Anxiety

Unwinding From Worry

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on November 5, 2023

Worrying is common to all of us. This post offers steps toward breaking the cycle of worry so that we might live a more fulfilling life.

Worrying is common to all of us. This post offers steps toward breaking the cycle of worry so that we might live a more fulfilling life.

Authenticity

What Do Clothes Have to Do With It?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 2, 2023

Being comfortable is more important than wearing clothing that constricts us. Rather than live up to some image of how we think we need to be, we can be happier if we're authentic.

Being comfortable is more important than wearing clothing that constricts us. Rather than live up to some image of how we think we need to be, we can be happier if we're authentic.

Relationships

Ideally, We Would Like the People We Love

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on August 31, 2023

How to build a foundation for liking and loving a person.

How to build a foundation for liking and loving a person.

Relationships

Why It's So Common to Not Like a Person You Love

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on July 30, 2023

It may sound odd, but it can be more difficult to like someone than love them. Why is this the case, and what does it really take to like someone?

It may sound odd, but it can be more difficult to like someone than love them. Why is this the case, and what does it really take to like someone?

Self-Talk

Are You Too Hard on Yourself?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on July 7, 2023

Our inner critic is formed from internalizing criticism from others. This article explores replacing negative self-talk with a more compassionate dialogue.

Our inner critic is formed from internalizing criticism from others. This article explores replacing negative self-talk with a more compassionate dialogue.

Relationships

4 Potent Ways to Deepen Love and Intimacy

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on June 15, 2023

To love and be loved makes our lives more meaningful. Explore four key ingredients to nurture love and intimacy.

To love and be loved makes our lives more meaningful. Explore four key ingredients to nurture love and intimacy.

Embarrassment

What It Really Means to Be Yourself

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on May 8, 2023

Being authentic is key to experiencing love and intimacy. Shame, however, erodes our capacity to be authentic with ourselves and others.

Being authentic is key to experiencing love and intimacy. Shame, however, erodes our capacity to be authentic with ourselves and others.

Relationships

What Really Makes Us Beautiful

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on April 2, 2023

The conditioned, futile desire to attain physical beauty misses the point of what really makes us beautiful.

The conditioned, futile desire to attain physical beauty misses the point of what really makes us beautiful.

Self-Esteem

You Are Special and Unique, Just Like Everyone Else

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on March 4, 2023

The temptation to think we are special or better than others can keep us spinning our wheels. We all have unique qualities that make us who we are.

The temptation to think we are special or better than others can keep us spinning our wheels. We all have unique qualities that make us who we are.

Forgiveness

The Courage to Acknowledge Our Mistakes—Without Self-Blame

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on February 5, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Making mistakes is part of the human condition. It takes courage to acknowledge our mistakes. Only then can we learn and grow from them.

A Personal Perspective: Making mistakes is part of the human condition. It takes courage to acknowledge our mistakes. Only then can we learn and grow from them.

Relationships

Is the Love You Get Greater Than Your Ability to Receive It?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on January 5, 2023

If we can expand our capacity to receive love, we can live a better life.

If we can expand our capacity to receive love, we can live a better life.

Embarrassment

The Power of Receiving and Giving Validation

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on December 2, 2022

Humans need mirroring, support, and validation. The best way to receive this support from others is to find creative ways to extend support to them.

Humans need mirroring, support, and validation. The best way to receive this support from others is to find creative ways to extend support to them.

Psychology

Finding Inner Peace by Befriending Our Feelings

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on November 7, 2022

Our tendency is to cling to pleasant feelings and push away unpleasant ones. Judging our feelings as positive or negative can make it more difficult to welcome our human feelings.

Our tendency is to cling to pleasant feelings and push away unpleasant ones. Judging our feelings as positive or negative can make it more difficult to welcome our human feelings.

Embarrassment

The Hidden Shame That Threatens Our World

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 7, 2022

Personal Perspective: Shame is a painful sense of being flawed and unworthy. When we've been deeply shamed, we may cover it up through destructive anger, contempt, and blame.

Personal Perspective: Shame is a painful sense of being flawed and unworthy. When we've been deeply shamed, we may cover it up through destructive anger, contempt, and blame.