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Leon's Existential Cafe

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This blog explores, and helps others navigate through, issues which are pertinent to all human beings, from death to self-esteem. Ideas are medicine!

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Author: Leon Garber, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Psychotherapist, based in Brooklyn and New York, NY, with specialties in Existential Psychotherapy, Trauma Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

We Aren’t Unlovable if We Aren’t Loved

Childhood lays the foundation for self-esteem. Children reach out for comfort and affection when they’re scared, sad, and hurt, needing … More

Childhood, Growth, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Narcissism, Psychology

All Roads Lead to Self-Love: How the Desire for Self-Esteem Permeates Most of What We Do

Reducing human complexity to any one particular source is usually fruitless and misleading; the most that we can do is … More

Growth, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Psychology, Religion, Self-Esteem, Success

In Defense of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Against Depressive Realism

Words matter. When we’re happy, we’re more likely to uncritically internalize positive feedback; and when we’re sad, or depressed, more … More

CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Depression, Depressive Realism, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Philosophy

Choosing Authenticity Over Perfection: Examining the Consequences of Our Values

All of have bad coping mechanisms which stem from false beliefs of their utility. Recall the time when you believed … More

Anxiety, Depression, Existential Therapy, Existentialism, Growth, Mental Health, Perfectionism, Personal Development, Philosophy, Psychology

Blurred Lines: How Mental Illness and Mental Health are Closer Than You Believe and Why It Matters

I’ve had several discussions with people that I thought would be good to disclose here, as they’re pertinent to earlier … More

Anxiety, Depression, DSM, Language, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Self-Esteem, Self-Help, Stigma, Wellness

Goodbye, Neverland: Accepting Reality, Taking Responsibility, and Moving Forward

I was the most spoiled and entitled kid I knew, way more so than the average child. Not only did … More

Growth, Mental Health, Personal Development, Philosophy, Psychology, Rocky Balboa, Success

Conquering Fears of Failure and Rejection Through Authenticity

About a year ago, I wrote an article on trauma that focused on defining oneself by resilience. In it, I … More

Anxiety, Depression, Existentialism, Growth, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Personal Development, Self-Esteem

Why Do We Create?: Exploring the Link Between Creativity and Intimacy

“The human being cannot live in a condition of emptiness for very long: if he is not growing toward something, … More

Community, Creativity, Existential Angst, Existential Therapy, Existentialism, Growth, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Relationships, Rollo May

Needing to Be Loved: Why It’s Okay to Accept Your Basic Human Necessity

Fear of Being Needy Most of the clients I see struggle with intimacy; they have what are called attachment difficulties. … More

Authenticity, Dating, Depression, Intimacy, Love, Mental Health, Neediness, Online Dating, Relationships, Trauma

The Power We Give Away: The Importance of Defining Yourself

The World of Dating I was going through a break-up when I was in therapy with Eileen. I told her … More

Dating, Growth, Heartbreak, Love, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Personal Development, Psychotherapy, Rejection, Relationships, Self-Help

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