Dr. Christine E. Dickson

16/12/2025

“Don’t talk about it” was the rule in their family. Pain stayed unspoken. Conflict was avoided. Emotions were handled privately or not at all. Children in these systems learn early that silence keeps the peace, while honesty risks rejection. Over time, feelings that cannot be spoken don’t disappear. They turn inward. Shame grows. Isolation worsens. And suffering becomes something you manage alone. Suicidal thoughts and self injurious behavior can emerge from this painful family rule. ➡️ Visit christinedickson.com for more information.

People raised with this rule often appear calm, self-contained, and “low drama.” But beneath the surface, they may feel profoundly alone with thoughts they’ve never been allowed to express.

If someone you love avoids emotional conversations or shuts down when things get difficult, don’t assume they’re okay.
Ask gently how they are really doing. Stay present when they speak without trying to fix.

If you grew up believing silence was safety, your pain is real.
Speaking doesn’t create harm, it should create connection.
Breaking the silence can be lifesaving.

If you or someone you love feels like there is no way out except death, please call or text 988 for immediate support.

I am also here to help.
Dr. Christine E. Dickson, PhD (CA PSY20050)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Visit christinedickson.com/contact for more information or to schedule an appointment.

09/12/2025

“Be strong” was the rule they learned long before they understood the cost. In many families, strength is praised while vulnerability is quietly punished. Crying is “dramatic.” Fear is “weakness.” Asking for help is “burdening others.” ➡️ Visit christinedickson.com for more information.

Children raised with this rule become adults who hold everything together such as careers, relationships, crises while internally collapsing. They collapse alone because they were taught that needing support is a failure.

People who learn to “be strong” often carry a private, unbearable weight. They look capable, competent, composed. But inside, they may feel trapped, exhausted, and invisible.

And when the pressure becomes overwhelming, the forbidden emotion has nowhere to go but inward. They tend to engage in self-criticism, isolation and sometimes self-harm or even suicidal thoughts.

If someone you love seems endlessly strong, please look closer. Ask how they are really doing. Ask how they feel when no one is watching.

If you were raised to equate strength with silence, your pain is still real. You don’t have to hold everything in. Reaching out is strength. Letting yourself be seen is strength. Choosing life is strength.

If you or someone you love feels like there is no safe way out except death, please call or text 988 for immediate support.

I am also here to help. Dr. Christine E. Dickson, PhD (CA PSY20050) Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Visit to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Please visit christinedickson.com/contact for more information or to schedule an appointment.

30/11/2025

“Don’t make things difficult” was the rule they grew up with. Many people who live with suicidal thoughts learn this rule early in life. In many families, this message is subtle but powerful: don’t upset anyone, don’t ask for too much, don’t create waves. Over time, children who absorb this rule learn to minimize their needs, minimize their pain, and make themselves small. ➡️ Visit christinedickson.com for more information.

And when pain becomes overwhelming, they often turn it inward. They blame themselves, punish themselves, harm themselves because expressing hurt outwardly feels forbidden.

People who internalize this rule become experts at being “easy,” “low-maintenance,” and “no trouble at all.” But inside, they’re carrying burdens far too heavy to keep silent.

Silencing your needs doesn’t protect anyone. It isolates you.
And the fear of being “a problem” can make it feel impossible to ask for help even when you’re drowning inside.

If someone you love rarely complains, asks for support, or rarely expresses frustration… please check in on them. Ask what they’re holding back so they don’t have to carry it alone.

If you are struggling, your pain is real. Your needs matter.
Reaching out isn’t “being difficult.” It’s reclaiming your right to express yourself.

If you or someone you love feels like there’s no way out except death, please call or text 988 for immediate support.

I am also here to help.
Dr. Christine E. Dickson, PhD (CA PSY20050)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Please visit christinedickson.com/contact for more information or to schedule an appointment.

11/11/2025

"Keeping up appearances was the unspoken law in their family." Many people who live with suicidal thoughts learn this rule early in life. You smile when you’re breaking inside. You achieve, you perform, you stay productive because vulnerability feels unsafe. You become so skilled at hiding pain that even those closest to you can’t see it. -> Visit christinedickson.com for more information

Behind the appearance of control is often unbearable loneliness. The pressure to look “fine” can make reaching out feel like failure. When in truth, it’s an act of courage.

If someone you love seems strong and “put together,” don’t assume they’re okay. Ask how they really are. Listen without fixing, judging, or offering quick answers.

If you are struggling, your pain is real, and help is possible. Reaching out doesn’t break the family code; it rewrites it.

If you or someone you love feels like there’s no way out except death, please call or text 988 for immediate support.
I am also here to help. Dr. Christine E. Dickson, PhD (CA PSY20050) Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Please visit christinedickson.com/contact for more information or to schedule an appointment.

30/10/2025

She cut her stomach with a razor every night, even though she was a popular straight-A student. No one suspected that this quiet perfectionist was in pain. On the outside, she seemed to have everything together: grades, friends, an amazing future. But on the inside, her emotions felt unbearable. Self-injury wasn’t about wanting to die; it was about trying to survive feelings she couldn’t manage or express. -> Visit christinedickson.com for more information

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I’ve learned that self-injury is rarely about seeking attention or wanting to die; it’s about release. It’s a way to cope with unbearable emotions. It momentarily numbs the pain or gives a sense of control when life feels overwhelming. But the relief never lasts. What heals is not punishment or willpower; it’s validation, understanding, and developing new skills to regulate emotions and tolerate distress.

If someone you care about is self-injuring, don’t shame them or panic. Stay calm. Ask how they’re feeling, not why they’re doing it. Help them feel heard, not judged. Healing starts with connection, not correction. Please visit christinedickson.com/contact for more information or to schedule an appointment.

27/10/2025

He told me he was worthless and should die --but on paper, he was everything the world considered “successful.” A great career. A loving family. Friends who admired him. Yet shame convinced him-- he should die. -> Visit christinedickson.com for more information.

This is the quiet cruelty of suicidal thoughts. They don’t always look like despair from the outside. Often, people who commit su***de appear outwardly calm, capable and successful.

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I’ve seen how shame and unworthiness distort reality until a person no longer feels they have the right to live. Evidence based therapy helps challenge those lies. Healing begins when the pain is met with compassion and understanding instead of judgment.

Remember it's NOT you that needs to die, it's the lies that shame is telling you.

If you or someone you love feels like there’s no way out except death, please call or text 988 for immediate support.

I am also here to help. Dr. Christine E. Dickson, PhD (CA PSY20050) Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Please visit christinedickson.com/contact for more information or to schedule an appointment.

25/10/2025

I’ve walked beside clients with suicidal thoughts and self injurious behavior for over 20 years. It’s been one of the most meaningful parts of my work as a licensed clinical psychologist. —> Visit christinedickson.com for more information.

Self-injury and suicidal thoughts are rarely about wanting to die. They are about wanting the pain to stop. When we meet that pain with compassion, validation, and evidence-based care, healing becomes possible.

Recovery doesn’t mean becoming “happy.” It means learning one skill at a time to tolerate distress, to find more effective ways to release the pain, and to reconnect with life. This is the essence of what I call The Radical Reset.

After more than 20 years as licensed psychologist, I’ve learned that hope is the most powerful medicine we have. People don’t heal because they’re “fixed.” They heal because they are finally validated, supported, and taught how to approach their pain differently.

If you or someone you love is struggling with self-injury or suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988. Help is available 24 hours / 7 days a week.

You can also reach out to me for an appointment by visiting: https://christinedickson.com/contact/

***deprevention

14/10/2025

Radical Acceptance: From Resistance to Inner Peace. Visit christinedickson.com to learn more. Full transcript of my podcast, The Radical Reset guiding you through powerful, meaningful change the kind of radical reset that brings clarity, peace, and purpose back to your life. Today's episode is on the practice of radical acceptance. Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Christine E. Dickson, licensed clinical psychologist [Lic # CA PSY20050]. For the past 22 years, I’ve been blending modern psychology with ancient wisdom to guide people through the challenges and stressors of everyday life. --> Contact christine.e.dickson@gmail.com or call 925-523-1397 -->

Today I want to talk about something that comes up in almost every session I have with my clients -- the practice of acceptance and surrender as a way to radically reset your mind. Specifically, what we call Radical Acceptance. It’s a life skill that can feel nearly impossible in the moment -- but it’s also the path to real freedom. Especially when life hands you something you didn’t ask for, didn’t expect, or simply didn’t deserve. Let’s be real -- life gets messy. And for thousands of years, spiritual and religious traditions across cultures have taught that acceptance and surrender help us survive -- even thrive -- through the mess. Now, whether you’re spiritual, religious, or neither, this wisdom holds up.

As a psychologist, I’d be foolish to ignore strategies that have been helping people navigate suffering for centuries, especially when modern psychology is barely 100 years old. So after finishing my PhD in 2003, I started diving into those traditions -- across different religions, philosophies, and cultures -- and I noticed something: in every system, the themes of acceptance and surrender were everywhere. They weren’t just spiritual ideals -- they were tools for surviving pain, loss, disappointment, and uncertainty. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to belong to any spiritual path to practice acceptance. One of the most powerful psychological approaches to this comes from Marsha Linehan, the founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. About 30 years ago, she introduced a term called Radical Acceptance. And it’s exactly what it sounds like: accepting, deeply and completely, the reality of this moment -- even when it feels unacceptable. What she discovered -- and what I’ve seen over and over again with my own clients -- is that when we practice radical acceptance, anxiety goes down. Depression lifts. Self-destructive behaviors lose their grip. Even suicidal thoughts can ease. And here’s what might surprise you -- most of the clients I work with are already incredibly high functioning. They run companies, lead teams, raise families -- but when they start practicing radical acceptance, they transform themselves in ways they did not think were possible.

Now, I’ll be honest -- even as a teacher of radical acceptance I sometimes struggle with applying it to my life. There are moments in my life where accepting what’s happening feels impossible -- like weakness. My mind fights reality with everything it’s got. But here’s what I know, both personally and professionally: the only way out of suffering is through radical acceptance. And I want to share with you exactly how to start building that muscle.Let’s break down the three core skills from psychologist, Marsha Linehan that can help you radically accept life -- even when life feels unlivable.

Skill #1: Create a Radically Accepting Mindset. Start thinking radically by saying to yourself.... Everything is as it is.
Everything is exactly as it should be -- even when it’s painful, unfair, or heartbreaking. Radical acceptance means we stop fighting reality. It doesn’t mean we like it or approve of it. It means we let go of the struggle against “what is.”
And here’s the hard truth: pain turns into suffering when we refuse to accept the pain. But when we truly accept we transform suffering into pain that we can endure. And eventually, move through.

Skill #2: Turning the Mind.
Acceptance doesn’t happen once. It’s a moment-by-moment choice. Think of it like coming to a fork in the road. You can turn toward rejecting reality -- “this shouldn’t be happening” road -- or you can turn toward acceptance. The act of turning your mind is just that -- an act. You might have to do it over and over again, especially on hard days. But each time you choose acceptance, even for a moment, you’re moving toward peace.

Skill #3: Willingness
It is showing up for life as it is -- no resistance, no dramatics. Just doing what’s needed in the moment, with humility, with effectiveness, with presence. It means tuning into your inner wisdom -- that quiet voice inside that knows what’s needed next. It’s also about remembering your connection to the world around you -- to the ground beneath your feet, the air around you, the people beside you. Willingness keeps us open, grounded, and ready to respond -- even when life feels overwhelming.

As you can see, radical acceptance isn’t easy. But it’s powerful. It doesn’t mean we give up. It means we stop fighting reality so we can reclaim the energy to change what we can. If you want help practicing these skills in your life, I’d love to support you. You can reach out through my website to schedule coaching or therapy sessions. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Thank you for listening. If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and stay tuned -- there’s more to come on building resilience, finding peace, and creating meaningful change. Until next time -- be gentle with yourself, and remember: acceptance is the first step to freedom.

06/10/2025

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, or just “not yourself,” you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face it alone. As a licensed clinical psychologist [CA PSY20050] with over 25 years of experience and a Dual PhD in Clinical and Industrial-Organizational Psychology, I specialize in helping professionals, parents, and young people manage anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, ADHD, and burnout.

Therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about learning the skills to calm your mind, regulate your emotions, and rediscover who you are beneath the stress. If you’re ready to start that process, I’d love to help.

📞 Call or Text Today: (925) 925-523-1397 or visit my website christinedickson.com or wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_E._Dickson

06/08/2025

Welcome to my new website. I finally integrated my 120 self-help articles with my online therapy practice. My work focuses on evidence-based tools and insights for managing anxiety, preventing burnout, overcoming trauma, improving ADHD, preventing substance misuse, and increasing efficiency and effectiveness so you can do more in less time. Drawing on mindfulness and cognitive behavioral principles, I share strategies designed for high-achieving professionals, parents, teenagers and anyone seeking meaningful change. Book a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call.

Dr. Christine E. Dickson, licensed clinical psychologist. Specializing in evidence-based tools for anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and burnout.

04/08/2025

In this TV30 Interview (yes, I was 7 months pregnant) I discuss using appreciate inquiry in couples counseling to help partners shift from focusing on problems to recognizing what works in their relationship. Instead of staying stuck in conflict, I help them identify strengths, shared goals, and remember times of connection and love. This approach helps couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and create a stronger foundation for lasting change.

31/07/2025

I’ll never forget the day I met my inspiration, Tim Ferriss, at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It was 2013, and Tim had no idea he’d changed my life with his book "The 4-Hour Workweek."

Tim's book gave me the strength to step outside my comfort zone, leave my job, and start my own private practice where I have helped hundreds of people! Before reading his book, I was so risk-averse. His words completely shifted my mindset—and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

And in person? Tim is very down-to-earth and caring. He even spent 15 minutes talking with me, despite the fact that his dinner was waiting!

Make sure to Follow Tim Ferriss online for life-changing advice. Even though he is an early stage investor (venture capitalist), author and efficiency expert, his books and incredible podcast challenge the way you think about your life! .

Tim Ferriss is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers and host of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast.