Decision Making
Becoming Confident in Making Decisions
Sometimes, making decisions can feel impossible
Decision paralysis is real. We can get stuck in a loop of wanting to choose—but feeling frozen by possibilities. Every option looks like the wrong one. It’s frustrating and exhausting, and too many options can lead us to not choose at all.
In therapy, we can improve decision-making and develop the skills to handle doubt with more ease.
Exploring Emotional Triggers
Starting can feel scary—I get that. Together, we begin with curiosity. We notice the emotions and thoughts that arise when a choice appears.
Do you feel compelled to think through every possible scenario—even the worst case?
Do you feel a surge of panic about picking the “perfect” option?
Do you feel overwhelmed trying to identify the right choice—or avoid choosing at all?
Understanding Patterns of Indecision
By breaking the process down, we can map your decision patterns. This awareness shows us where you get stuck. Feeling frustrated at this stage is normal. Here, we lean on compassion and patience—they’re essential for growth.
Mindfulness and Clarity in Therapy
Collaboratively, we practice mindfulness to build awareness of:
- Body sensations: tension, elevated heart rate, dizziness, urgency
- Thought patterns: overthinking, rumination, catastrophic “what-ifs”
Your exact mix of thoughts and sensations is unique. Naming them reduces overwhelm. With practice, tolerance increases and clarity grows.
Gaining Confidence Through Practice
Clarity builds confidence. Values-aligned decisions become easier to spot. Then we take small, meaningful risks—we choose, we move forward, and we learn.
It’s a steady process. Many clients arrive feeling lost and leave feeling capable and confident in their decision-making.
Helpful Tools We May Use
- CBT strategies to challenge all-or-nothing and catastrophic thinking
- ACT techniques to act in line with values—even when uncertainty is present
- Mindfulness & grounding to regulate urgency in the body
- Decision frameworks (e.g., criteria lists, time-boxing, “good-enough” choice) to reduce perfection pressure
- Exposure to choosing (start small) to build the “decision muscle” over time
Starting the process can be hard. It’s a difficult decision in itself.
Taking your first step forward begins the change.
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