Dr. Bill Cloke Psychotherapist

Are you looking to improve your overall well-being? Here are 20 tips to help boost your mental health and happiness. http://www.billcloke.com/psychology/what-creates-well-being/

Halfway through the year and we are still living in very uncertain times. However, even before 2020, we had plenty of misfortunes and crises that stressed us out. In fact, The English Poet John Keats described this as "Negative Capability" back in the early 19th century. Moreover, while constant worry won't help with the current pandemic, following official guidelines and safety measures will. Article link: http://www.billcloke.com/psychology/negative-capability/

In these most difficult times of Covid we are all experiencing high levels of stress from fear and uncertainty. The cumulative effects of quarantine and the loss of human interaction on a physical level can cause the best of us to feel the effects. This experience is traumatic, deeply unsettling, and depressing. Here are some ideas for how to cope with this unique and challenging event. http://www.billcloke.com/psycho/neurosis-is-the-new-normal/

Moods may signify happiness, anger, tension, or anxiety. Chronic periods of any mood state can be an indicator of a psychological disorder such as depression." Given the current situation we are in, it's understandable that we are more often feeling "moody." However, understanding what moods mean to us, where they come from and how they help us to see not only our own lives but what we want and need from others is the key to working them through. http://www.billcloke.com/psychol/the-art-of-decoding-moods/

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and California's 'Stay at Home' order, I will be doing more therapy sessions online via Skype or Facetime. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at (310) 440-0156 or email [email protected]. Be safe, stay healthy and we will get through this. http://www.billcloke.com/online-psychotherapy-via-skype-or/

We all know or may have even experienced anxiety. The feeling before we give a speech or recital, asking someone out who we want to want us, going to the doctor or dentist. It feels like Godzilla is just around the corner and all we can hear are the thud of footsteps coming our way. So, what in the world can we do about it? http://www.billcloke.com/a/how-to-break-your-anxiety-habit/ #psychotherapy #anxiety #stress #fear

If all it took was swallowing a pill, going to a class or reading a book, we would all possess the secret to true happiness. Unfortunately, simple happiness is actually a very complex task- but not completely out of reach. http://www.billcloke.com/psycholo/is-true-happiness-a-myth/

Almost everyone has a myriad of expectations- from expecting presents on holidays and birthdays, to unconditional love with our partner. But when we can't meet the expectations we set for ourselves and others, we feel disappointment and failure. Here's what we can do however, to overcome this predicament. http://www.billcloke.com//big-expectations-big-disappoint/

Insight on why we act antagonistic and aggressive in our relationships. ://www.billcloke.com/anger/why-are-we-so-antagonistic-to-ourselves-and-those-we-live-with/

We have all seen the Wizard of Oz and remember the scene when Toto pulled back the curtain revealing instead of The Great Oz, a man who was pulling levers. So often the case with people whom I work with that they do not know who is behind their own curtain either. Marriages, friendships, and relationships, in general, are filled with casual conversation, hidden agendas and the longing to be known and accepted... http://www.billcloke.com/psycholo/pulling-back-the-curtain/

Being right is the most wrong thing we can do in a relationship because it eliminates the other person. When one person has to be right it means the other one must be wrong. Usually, perfectionism goes hand in hand with being right. http://www.billcloke.com/psy/whats-right-about-being-wrong/

Moving from an Altered State to a Natural State takes understanding, compassion and deep empathy. Finding our true self requires a learned other, a non-judgmental person who understands why and how these things happen and can help define the difference. http://www.billcloke.com//reality-bites-moving-from-an-al/