Mel Schwartz, LCSW

Creating Resilient Relationships

The wonder of first meeting and falling in love is in part due to the curiosity and passion of learning about each other. Regrettably, over… Continue reading Creating Resilient Relationships

What Do We Mean by “Moving on”?

We recently announced a new feature at A Shift of Mind called the Question of the Week. The following is my response to Louise, who… Continue reading What Do We Mean by “Moving on”?

What Is a Mistake?

My previous post, “The Problem with Perfection,” unraveled some of the mythology and beliefs about notions of perfection that limit and impede many people’s lives.… Continue reading What Is a Mistake?

What Informs Your Belief?

While I was in the midst of delivering a somewhat provocative talk on the subject of change, a gentleman in the audience indicated that he… Continue reading What Informs Your Belief?

The 5% Rule

Learning to remain present and not get drawn into the right or wrong argument requires a willful intention to come out of the groove of… Continue reading The 5% Rule

Who Am I?

This question — asked so often — suggests that there is actually a plausible answer. Almost as if our identity were a fixed thing. People… Continue reading Who Am I?

Can Your Feelings Be Wrong?

This question comes up so often in my therapy sessions. The greatest source of invalidation comes from denying our feelings — whether we do it… Continue reading Can Your Feelings Be Wrong?

What is a mistake?

Most people try to avoid making mistakes. In fact, many people experience considerable stress and anxiety around avoiding mistakes. We may labor and fret over… Continue reading What is a mistake?

The Gift of Confusion

We are encumbered by a cultural imperative to value clarity and to have the correct answer. The need to distance ourselves from confusion is mandated… Continue reading The Gift of Confusion

Coming into Balance

I recently broke my foot, a fracture that occurred as I missed a step on my front porch. The break occurred on the outside part… Continue reading Coming into Balance