Dr. Catharina Jordan, Licensed Psychologist

11/15/2025

Object relations therapy is a powerful tool for healing and is an approach I use often. In this blog post, I describe central features of the therapy.

Object relations therapy is a form of psychodynamic therapy focusing on root causes leading to psychological concerns, instead of solely focusing on symptoms. In this approach, one's past is considered a significant factor in understanding one's present. This method emphasizes the impact of a person...

09/24/2025

06/10/2025

In my spare time, I enjoy reading books that relate to the field of psychology. I imagined it could be fun, and potentially helpful, to present some of the material I have read, as well as impressions I gained. My latest read has been “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Dr. Atul Gawande (2014).

More here:
https://www.theoakscounselingservices.com/post/a-discussion-of-being-mortal-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end

03/12/2025

Feeling crabby?
Want to feel differently?
Some ideas:
* Validate what feels hard (“It makes sense I would feel this way because...”). Consider if you have any unmet need and if you could practice any self-care to help address that need

* Self-soothe and regulate your physiology (take a fast walk outside, move your body, take some time alone, eat a hard candy slowly, practice slow deep breathing for 2 minutes, wrap up tightly in a comfy blanket)

* Check in about general self-care and engage in it (is it possible you're hungry, fighting illness, or need a nap?)

* Consider and act on one manageable way you might show kindness toward someone else (doing so can help shift a crabby mood)

* Remember times of feeling differently

This list is clearly not exhaustive and not a perfect fit for every situation. Seeking support, particularly through therapy, can be incredibly helpful!

12/04/2024

When is a time you felt confident?
*What did that confidence and experience feel like?
**What was happening?
***What were you doing?
****Who was there?
What felt particularly great about the experience?
(Maybe it was encouragement from others, having finished a task, or doing something you love?)
Is there anything practical about these details that you could implement into your present life in a healthy way?
(Could you engage in being an encouragement to others or receiving encouragement from others, in finding a manageable task and finishing it, or trying an activity you love or have loved in the past?)
Wishing you happiness and a healthy, confident week ahead! 🙂

09/06/2024

Sometimes the moment isn't right to share something, or it's wiser to keep something private. Other times, the issue might be that it can feel scary to be vulnerable or clear.
Being known often involves risk and choice.

03/17/2023

I love hearing what makes people happy.
Knowing what brings you joy can help create more joy in your life.
Some questions you might ask yourself:
When were you happiest this week?
What made you happy about that experience?
What underlying need might have been supported in that experience? Here are some ideas:
You were able to feel connected to others,
You felt power,
You were accomplishing something and felt capable,
You were able to have your voice be heard,
You were experiencing novelty or fun.
These are all underlying needs.
How might you continue to have more experiences like this and lean into what you love?
Wishing you a full and joyful life 🙂

03/10/2023

Time slows down when you use your senses.
Remember being a kid, swinging on the swings or running through the playground?
Life probably felt full then.
You can still experience these moments and these days.
Try taking at least a moment to notice your senses,
what you see, taste, hear, feel, and smell.

Let yourself be here.
See if time doesn’t slow down.

01/28/2023

https://www.theoakscounselingservices.com/post/why-just-changing-self-talk-won-t-work

You may have had a negative belief about yourself and tried to change that belief with some positive self-talk, but found it didn't work.