Author: Dr. Monica Johnson

Let’s talk about Pride Month It’s Pride Month y’all and on the podcast this month I am going to focus on topics related to sex and sexuality. I get lots of questions from folks about their sexuality at my practice and from listener’s just like you. One of the more common areas relates to Asexuality and Pansexuality, so that’s what we’re going to talk about today! Defining the spectrum: Asexuality and Pansexuality Let’s start by giving a working definition for both Asexuality and Pansexuality. Exploring Asexuality Asexuality exists on a broad spectrum. Some asexual individuals might experience little to no…

If you were to walk up on a snake right now or stand on the ledge of a building 20 stories up, you’re likely to get more than a little spooked. But is that a mental health concern or normal reactions to being startled by a snake? Today I am going to break down what is known as Specific Phobias in the DSM-5-TR, so you’ll know the difference. Understanding the intricacies of specific phobias can be both fascinating and essential for recognizing when fear becomes a significant concern in someone’s life. What are Specific Phobias? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual…

February, often associated with love and romance, can be a challenging month for individuals experiencing moments of heartbreak and rejection. Dealing with rejection is an essential aspect of life; it’s a component of our journey towards love, life, and the pursuit of happiness. So, how do you deal with rejection? We might find answers in unexpected places – embracing not only the reality but also the potential benefits of rejection. Facing rejection in relationships Listen to my podcast about rejection (in the player at the top of this post) or come along with me here as we explore the commonality…

We’ve likely all been on diets; you might even be on one now! Throughout my lifespan, I’ve probably tried nearly every single one. Does anyone remember the old-school grapefruit diet, where basically you get to eat half a grapefruit and a slice of bacon every day? I was put on that diet in grade school. Dieting fads have been around since the beginning of time, and despite research letting us all know that 95% of all diets fail, we keep trying to be in the 5% of winners. Today, I’m going to talk about some of the reasons why diets…

My predecessor at Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Jade Wu talked about how to cope with the fear of a loved one dying, and so many of you found it helpful that I’d like to add some more tips for making it through. Have you dealt with the loss of a loved one or have fears about it? If so, I have some ideas for how to cope. Grief Grief is a natural and normal response to loss. It is a complex and multifaceted experience that can affect individuals emotionally, cognitively, physically, and behaviorally. Grief can be triggered by a variety of…

Have you ever wondered if you dissociate? Do you have moments where you feel out of touch with yourself, feel detached, or like time is passing too slowly or quickly? These are just a few of the signs of dissociation. If you want to know more about what it is and how to cope with it, I’m here to help! What is dissociation? Dissociation is a mental process that can occur in response to trauma, stress, or overwhelming situations. It involves a temporary disconnection between a person’s thoughts, feelings, memories, and sense of identity or reality. Dissociation can be a…

Dealing with entitled people can be challenging, as they often believe they deserve special treatment or privileges without having to put in any effort or show any appreciation. Their behavior can be frustrating and even harmful to those around them, especially if they expect others to cater to their every whim. However, there are strategies that can be used to cope with entitled people, both in personal and professional settings. My Savvy Psychologist predecessor Dr. Jade Wu talked about dealing with entitled people back in 2020. Today, we will explore some of these strategies and offer tips for dealing with…

Listeners to my Savvy Psychologist podcast really seemed to respond to my boundary episodes. I received so many comments and questions that I decided to respond to one of the themes that arose: unhealthy communication. Do you or people you’re close with engage in behaviors that break down communication and lead to more distance in your relationships? If so, this episode is for you. I’m going to share four communication errors that can ruin your relationships. These are commonly referred to as the “Four Horsemen” and come to us from relationship experts Dr. John and Julia Gottman. They have written…

I get asked all the time if New Year’s Resolutions actually work. This week, I will give you some quick and dirty tips to help you maximize your goal-setting.  There isn’t a ton of research on New Year’s Resolutions specifically and the studies that do exist leave room for interpretation. So, do we know what percentage of New Year’s resolutions fail? One longitudinal study on New Year’s resolutions found that 77% of people were able to maintain their resolutions for one week, but only 19% were able to keep them up for two years. Of those that were successful, the…

I’m so happy you’re here as I review these broad categories of resources. There are nine on my list. These are resources that can generally be helpful to anyone. Many times you already have access to these resources because no matter who you are, you have your own inherent strengths. When my patients show up for therapy with me for the first time, they may think the only thing I’m doing is categorizing perceived weaknesses, but that’s untrue. I’m looking for their strengths and how we can utilize those to help them build a worthwhile life. I’m going to help…