Sanz Plans | Building Hope

What Do You Want To Change Today?

“I Don’t See Myself Getting Better”

The Curtain Falls You might have just hit a rough patch. Or maybe those feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt are part of a larger problem that relates to anxiety or depression. Whatever the reason, you might feel like a big curtain has fallen that makes it hard...

Daily Emotional Dialysis

Filtering Difficult Experiences I’m a big fan of the emotional equivalent of “emptying the trash.” By writing in a journal people get in touch with their feelings and express them without censorship. It’s a research-tested treatment for those suffering from...

Working With Your “Healthy Rebel”

Have you ever decided you were going to make a change in how you eat or how active you are and you make a plan and set your goals and… you don’t follow through with it? If the answer is yes… it means you’re human. But wouldn’t you like to be able to stick with...

Another Way to Manage Your Anxiety

The most commonly suggested way to manage anxiety is to calm the nervous system by using diaphragmatic breathing. By breathing deeply, you are physically behaving in a way that sends a message to the brain that you must not actually be in any danger, so it will kick...

How to Take Mental Health Meds Safely

Mental Health Medication If you take psychotropic medications, meaning anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, or anti-psychotic medications, it’s not unusual that at one time or another during the course of your working with your psychiatrist,...

Mental Health Symptoms To Not Ignore

There are hundreds of symptoms that can indicate a mental health issue is developing, but it can be difficult to know when to pay attention to them and when they are not a concern. Here is a relatively simple way to be able to assess whether you are experiencing...

How Do You Get Someone To Go To Therapy?

For the sake of this post, let's assume you have a friend you're concerned about. There's 3-Step process you can adapt to meet the needs of your specific situation when attempting to encourage someone to go to therapy. Empathize with your friend and her...

My Favorite Life Planner Hacks

I have been using a Life Planner for decades, switching between different types to see which one worked best for me. You may have done the same thing, but if not, I hope you will until you find your “good-enough” planner. Remember nothing is perfect and your...

How to Get Things Done When You’re Just Not Feeling It (#NoMotivation)

I’m Just Not Feeling It So, I asked, “You have to wait until you’re able to “get into” doing a chore before you can do it?” “Yeah, that’s right,” he said. So I asked if he was getting about 10–15% of his chores at home done. He said ‘Yes! How did you know?” I asked...

The Therapist of Oz

We’re Off to See the Therapist! Clients come to therapy with many different expectations, wants, and needs. Some people want their therapist to just be there and listen to them… an experience they don’t get very often and one they need to be able to understand...

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

You have found the place for people who know they need to or want to make changes to be healthier, happier, and more fulfilled. It’s for people who want to lose weight, gain weight, or stop eating disordered behavior. It’s for people who want to stop walking around day after day criticizing themselves and not feeling “good enough.” I’m glad you’re here and I hope you’ll come and read often! ~Anita.

Begin Your Journey To New Hope

Dr. Anita Sanz

PHD - Clinical Psychologist

My primary aspiration in life (beyond survival!) has been to try to foster hope, create safe spaces for good work to occur, and improve well-being through co-creating unique and helpful life strategies with others. To that end, I became a licensed psychologist and coach, and have written extensively about mental and emotional wellness. Becoming the new co-host of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast fits perfectly with my intention of wanting others to know that they are not alone in their experience of struggling in the world. I believe there is so much that we can do to help each other get through… and then get to where we can thrive and enjoy life. I have worked successfully for over 25 years with clients with a broad range of mental, emotional, and physical health issues and also taught psychology classes at the University level. My own lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic person with ME/CFS gave me a unique set of challenges that have helped me to appreciate the struggles of others with increased humility, empathy, and compassion. Because of both my training and my life experience, I am very good at breaking down the overwhelming into manageable pieces and helping my clients learn how to trust their own experience to craft life strategies that work. It brings me the greatest joy to connect with others and be able to help in whatever way I am able.

An Affirmation for Overwhelm and Procrastination

A Meditation for Peace

A Short Meditation for Sleep

Need Help Now? You may call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 anytime 24/7. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. You can find other mental health resources here: https://givingvoicetodepression.com/resources.htmPlease get help if you need it. Thank you.