MARKUS DOBLER, M.S., MFT
Adult, Adolescent & Child Psychotherapy & Counseling, Inc. CA/BBS/MFT License #46130
Markus Dobler, M.S., MFT
(415) 375-9546
info@markusdobler.com
On Mental Wellness
People seek out therapy because adversity in their lives affects their daily functioning and/or emotional well-being. Resiliency involves being able to bounce back from adversity and challenges by using certain skills to deal with the stressors of life. Psychotherapy and counseling can be important tools to hone exactly these life skills. Upon successful completion of a therapeutic treatment the patient can return to the trademarks of what Chaplain and Seligman (2006) have identified as seven key factors indicative of mental wellness:
  • Emotional Regulation - the ability to understand what you are feeling and why you are feeling it and also the ability to express these feelings appropriately.
  • Impulse Control - the ability to be keenly aware of one's reactions and the ability to slow down the process of expression to make conscious choices that are appropriate for the situation.
  • Causal Analysis - the ability to make sound, accurate judgments about the causes of one's problems.
  • Realistic Optimism - the ability to have an optimistic and realistic outlook on life.
  • Self-Efficacy - the importance of knowing that one has the skills and confidence to solve problems and cope with a broad range of life situations.
  • Empathy - the ability to see things from someone else's viewpoint or perspective and the ability to understand someone else's emotional state and finally the ability to connect with these others on a genuine human level.
  • Reaching out - the ability to connect with others during stressful times and to receive support when one needs it.
If one masters the above seven life skills and resiliency factors fairly well, one is generally emotionally balanced and can consider himself or herself to be mentally well. If there are impairments present in one or the other or multiple of the resiliency factors, psychotherapy can be very useful to improve the factors and to lead the way towards mental wellness, emotional well-being, and superior daily and social functioning.