Blog - Matthew Rippeyoung

October 3, 2018 — No Comments

I’ll take a little Thanksgiving without the drama, thanks

Published by MTR in Communication, Holiday, Relationships

August 28, 2018 — No Comments

Why You Don’t Need to Know Me

A quick video on why knowing the details of your therapist's personal life is not really all that helpful to you.

Published by MTR in Therapy

July 23, 2018 — No Comments

Put Your Partner’s Phone DOWN!

Check out this video about how you might better rebuild trust--with your partner and yourself--following learning of an infidelity in your relationship

Published by MTR in Relationships

May 23, 2018 — 1 Comment

Things People Want To Know About Therapy At The Outset

My first vlog, so I thought I would start at the beginning...those questions that people often have when they are starting/looking into therapy.

Published by MTR in Therapy

May 11, 2018 — No Comments

Don’t Beat Yourself With the Gratitude Stick

This is not one of those blog posts that is going to tell you that all you need to do is be grateful and you will feel better. In fact, it is the opposite.

I’m not slagging gratitude. Gratitude is a good thing. A great thing, even. It is important to count one’s blessings, and to see the good things that are going on around us. It can help us feel hopeful. Focusing on what is good can stimulate us into thinking more positively, which sometimes orients us to making healthier decisions for ourselves. Thinking about things we are grateful for feels a whole lot better than focusing on what we lack. When times are mild to moderately tough, sometimes it can be comforting to think about the things that we have to be grateful for, and we can get to a “it’s not great, but it’s not that bad,” kind of a place.

How Do I Do This All Day?

At least a couple of times every week I get asked, “How do you listen to people all day and not be a wreck about it?” In fact, it was one of the things I worried about the most when I was studying to become a psychologist. Earlier in my career, I wasn’t totally sure WHY I wasn’t “bringing my work home with me,” but I was pretty grateful that it wasn’t happening. It really is this strange thing about working in my field—being exposed to traumatic material and not being traumatized by it. After more than 15 years in the industry, I think I finally have some good answers.

For starters, I feel really lucky to have my job. Every day, people work up the courage to come and see me and share with me some of the worst, most painful parts of their lives. They don’t do that with just anyone. I am rewarded daily with this kind of trust and respect. It really blows me away to get to be a meaningful part of someone’s struggles. Feeling lucky to be in this position helps, as it keeps me wanting to do things that will allow me to work forever.