The Sensible Psychologist: How to Achieve Psychological Flexibility and Happiness — Dr. Carrie Johansson

Dr. Carrie Johansson is a psychologist, speaker, and author widely recognized as the "Sensible Psychologist" due to her practical, effective approach to mental health and well-being. With two decades of experience in private practice in Denver, Dr. Carrie specializes in managing anxiety, diminishing trauma, and improving team performance using evidence-based treatments. She frequently collaborates with corporate audiences, teams, and individuals to help them navigate life's challenges with greater ease and joy.

This episode is brought to you by Start With Values (https://startwithvalues.com/) — get the book now: https://amzn.to/3yXSyA4

Meet Dr. Carrie:

• Book: https://amzn.to/3MqNR4H
• Website: https://www.selfhelponthego.com/

In this episode, host Bradley Hook (https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad) welcomes Dr. Carrie Johansson, also known as the "Sensible Psychologist," to discuss psychological flexibility, healthy communication, and the importance of setting boundaries. Dr. Carrie, with her extensive 20-year experience in private practice, offers practical advice for increasing happiness and maintaining emotional balance in our daily lives.

Dr. Carrie delves into the concept of psychological flexibility, explaining its foundations in acceptance and commitment therapy. She highlights how accepting our present reality rather than clinging to past or future expectations can ease emotional stress. Emphasizing the role of thoughts and emotions and their impact on behavior, she shares practical tools to navigate these effectively. One of her key suggestions for managing negative emotions is simply labeling them, which can cut their intensity by half.

The conversation also touches on the "boundary castle" analogy to help listeners visualize and set effective boundaries with people in their lives. Dr. Carrie offers several real-life examples to explain how setting thoughtful boundaries can reduce stress and improve relationships. Additionally, she talks about the importance of communication, using the assertiveness formula "I'm feeling because of, and I wish" to manage conflicts without judgment.