Friday, Dec 5th, 2025

Keeping Tempo

A collection of mental health articles to help you effectively manage daily challenges and achieve emotional well-being. Dive into our blog articles covering therapy, relationships, mental health disorders, self-help and self-care, therapist advice and more.

What Is Humanistic Therapy?

Humanistic therapy is a compassionate, empathetic, and client-centered approach to counselling. Extremely popular since its inception in the 1950s and ‘60s, research has shown that humanistic therapies can improve well-being, self-esteem, and quality of life. But different approaches resonate with different people and, if you’re in the process of choosing a therapist, it’s important to understand what makes humanistic therapy unique. Consider the following question: Why do you want to start therapy? Every person committed to the process will have a valid answer, but the nuances have a significant impact on which types of therapy are appropriate. For example, one person may be looking to reduce their anxiety while another is hoping to find greater purpose and meaning in their life. A therapy approach designed to target symptoms might be perfect for the former but inadequate for the latter. This is where humanistic therapy comes in. Whereas therapies like CBT emphasize structured methods to shift thoughts and behaviors, humanistic therapy emphasizes open exploration and the therapeutic relationship as the main catalyst for change. In fact, the process is primarily guided by the therapy relationship, with the aim of finding a route to authenticity, personal growth, and self-actualization. A deeper look into humanistic therapy will help you understand if it is the right fit for you.

Modality

14 min read

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Going to therapy for the first time can feel like an intimidating prospect. Even if you’ve heard friends speaking about their experiences, seen fictional sessions in movies and TV shows, and read articles about it, you may struggle to envision what it’s actually like. The fact is that there’s no one-size-fits-all way to describe therapy . However, therapists draw from a number of techniques and approaches to provide the most effective course for each client. An understanding of various approaches can help demystify therapy for those who are feeling hesitant and uncertain. One of the most common approaches you will come across is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). There is a good chance that the therapist you choose will use CBT as their primary approach or draw from its principles and techniques. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited, and goal-oriented psychotherapy. It has been proven effective in many studies since its development in the 1960s and, having been both expanded and refined in the decades since, its popularity has continued to skyrocket. The primary goals of CBT are to improve emotional regulation, cultivate effective ways of thinking, and promote healthy behaviors. It does so by helping you identify and change thought patterns and behaviors that are contributing to day-to-day challenges and mental health issues. CBT is highly practical, providing a ‘toolbox’ of skills that you can use on a daily basis to improve your mental health and face difficulties head on.

Modality

12 min read

Find someone who gets you

Look for available therapists who specialize in your needs

Get Started

What is Exposure Therapy?

Exposure therapy is a common approach for treating a range of mental health diagnoses including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) . It involves gradual exposure to a memory, item, or place that triggers anxiety or fear. If you’re considering exposure therapy, it is understandable if you have a sense of trepidation. However, with an understanding of what exposure therapy is and how it works, it’s possible to start the process with enthusiasm. We won’t get far talking about exposure therapy without understanding what it is designed to treat: fear associated with certain mental health diagnoses. Fear is a normal emotion that plays a crucial role in survival when faced with threats. Nonetheless, when excessive or inappropriate, it can severely impact a person’s ability to live a full life. Excessive fear is the primary component of a number of mental health disorders. In therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) , a person learns to identify and challenge fears with rational thinking. Unfortunately, challenging fears on a cognitive level is often not sufficient on its own. Research has shown that actually facing irrational fears can be a powerful way of reinforcing the rational basis for letting go of them. Exposure therapy is designed to address the primary behavior associated with disorders like PTSD and OCD: avoidance. It is often used not in isolation, but rather as a component of CBT , as it is complemented by techniques that address the person’s thoughts and beliefs. During sessions, the therapist prepares the client to face their fear. In the safety of the therapeutic environment, the client is then gradually exposed to the memory or situation they have been avoiding. Trying to confront a traumatic memory or greatly feared situation alone can not only be too much of a challenge, but can also be counterproductive. When the fear is triggered without adequate support and preparation, it can overpower a person’s cognitive and emotional resources, and potentially become a traumatic experience of its own. Therefore, exposure therapy should be conducted under the guidance of a licensed mental health practitioner.

Modality

16 min read

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing” . It helps people process and heal from traumatic memories. It can also help with activating memories, meaning memories that cause major emotional responses. In an EMDR therapy session, you’ll recall the targeted memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, which means stimulation that occurs on both sides of the body. This might be rapid eye movements, tapping, or listening to sounds. EMDR is an evidence-based approach that can help the brain reprocess the memory, making the emotional response to the memory more neutral.

Modality

16 min read

What is ADHD?

Living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can feel like always being slightly out of sync with expectations. You might struggle to follow along with group conversations, frequently find yourself searching for your car keys, forget to do assignments for work or school, and miss steps in tasks given with clear instructions. On the flipside, you may find a unique way of solving a problem, only for bosses, coworkers, and peers to dismiss your solution simply because of how you got there. You end up striving to be like everyone else and berating yourself every time you fall short. ADHD is a developmental disorder that can make it difficult to function effectively, whether in a domestic, academic, or professional setting. The fact that ADHD is so often misunderstood has led to many people not getting the help they need, while taking a toll on the self-esteem of those with the disorder. The mischaracterization of ADHD has not always been limited to the broader public. It was only towards the end of the twentieth century that ADHD in adults was even recognized in the field of psychiatry. This guide will answer the most common questions people have about ADHD, including:

Conditions

21 min read

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Do you have recurring, anxiety-provoking thoughts that you cannot control? Are you compelled to carry out specific actions, certain that something will go terribly wrong if you don’t? You may be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Distressing thoughts can feel overwhelming. Anyone who has ever suddenly questioned whether they left the stove on can empathize with how easy it can be to picture every worst-case scenario. This thought can drive the person to rush home to check, even if they’re fairly sure they turned the stove off. With OCD, a person is beset by distressing thoughts that may encompass a range of scenarios. These thoughts are powerful and persistent and may occur on a daily basis. They are accompanied by the compulsion to perform actions that quell the thoughts temporarily. Unlike the common scenario with the stove, the obsessive thoughts of OCD are often not rational, fixating on scenarios that are highly unlikely or even impossible. The compulsions do not necessarily relate to the thoughts, either, and more closely resemble rituals, many of which have no logical basis. OCD is regularly misrepresented, which has led to the term being casually thrown about to describe a mere preference for cleanliness or order. As such, it is important to understand the ins and outs of the disorder so that you can recognize it and know when to seek treatment. This guide will cover what OCD is, some common subtypes of OCD, and the symptoms of OCD , as well as its various treatments.

Conditions

16 min read

See what others are reading

Insurance

How Much Does Therapy Cost?

Learn more

Conditions

What is Anxiety Disorder

Learn more

Modality

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Learn more

Conditions

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Learn more