Sanz Plans | Building Hope

What Do You Want To Change Today?

Why People Don’t Change Until They Have To

I became a therapist thinking that people just naturally wanted to change, grow, get better, become healthier… and how cool was that going to be to assist in that process?! Boy, was I naive. After 20 years as a therapist, what I discovered is that it is extremely rare...

So You Want to Stop Taking Your Anti-Depressant Medication?

“I’m Tired of Taking These Pills!” You want to stop taking your medication. It’s too expensive. You’re feeling the stigma at the pharmacy, thinking people are looking at you differently, wondering why you’re taking them. You’re sick of the side effects....

Do You Smell Smoke?

You probably know what it’s like when the smoke alarm goes off. The sound is so annoying, irritating, and ear-piercingly unbearable. Alarms are this way for a very good reason. Every thinking person understands that it is to motivate you to either wake up or...

When You’re Feeling Stuck: First, Don’t Panic…

Do you feel stuck? Nothing’s moving? Can’t get going? Like when you’ve gotten your car or truck stuck in soft sand. And the harder you try to get out, the deeper you dig yourself in. No matter where you are on your journey through life, there are going to...

Take Another Look At Cognitive Therapy

What do you see when you look at this image? Do you see a carved goblet? Or do you see two faces, almost touching their noses? What’s The First Thing You See? Usually, you will see one image first, and once it is pointed out to you that there is another way to look at...

What Psychotherapy CAN’T Do For You

In recent weeks, the American Psychological Association has produced some wonderful material to help the general public understand what psychotherapy is, how it works, and why it is so effective in the treatment of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health issues.

How To Make Better Decisions

“We are our choices.” ~Jean Paul Sartre Do you have trouble making decisions? Is it hard for you to choose between options? Or are you great at making decisions… Do you just make the wrong ones over and over? Decision-making is a life skill that just can’t be...

Graduation Dance

Graduating from a school, college, or program is supposed to be one of those “happy” events we celebrate, falling in the same category of major life transitions as weddings and births. You are moving from one place to another, from one status to another, from one...

How To Accomplish Anything

How Do You Make Dreams Real? You want to write a book, learn how to cook vegan, make a new group of friends, or climb a mountain. How do you go about accomplishing anything in life? It actually depends on the kind of person you are! You’ll be more successful in...

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...

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.