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Why Feeling Capable Might Literally Help You Remember Better
We often think of confidence as a side dish—nice to have, but not essential. Especially when it comes to memory, it’s tempting to believe that raw ability is all that matters. But research is revealing that how capable we feel in the moment can shape how—and how well—we actually remember (Miller & Unsworth, 2025). Not just because we’re in a better mood, but because confidence seems to affect the very mechanics of learning and recall. The belief that “I can do this” changes w

Esther Nava
Nov 13, 20254 min read


What Drives Us: A Human Look at Motivation
Motivation has as many faces as there are human desires. The simplest definition of motivation boils down to wanting. We want a change in behavior, thoughts, feelings, self-concept, environment, or relationships. Motivation, in its essence, is not static—it’s a living, shifting internal drive that asks for movement. Sometimes it’s subtle, like a vague restlessness nudging us forward. Sometimes it’s urgent, all-consuming, impossible to ignore. In either case, it’s the fuel beh

Esther Nava
Nov 13, 20254 min read


When Learning Feels Worth It: Rethinking How We Motivate Students
Motivation isn't just a desirable element in education—it’s foundational. When students appear bored, distracted, or resistant, it’s easy to label them as unmotivated. But often, they’re responding to a system that overlooks what fuels genuine engagement. Traditional schools, with their rigid pacing, limited autonomy, and grading systems that reward performance over process, can unintentionally suppress curiosity. Many children enter school eager to learn but eventually lose

Esther Nava
Nov 13, 20254 min read


The 4 Principles of Motivational Interviewing That Help People Actually Change
Change is rarely about logic. If it were, most of us would already be living as our ideal selves. Motivational interviewing doesn’t aim to convince or correct—it aims to guide people into discovering their own readiness for change. Whether you’re a clinician, coach, teacher, or friend, motivational interviewing (MI) offers a framework that helps people move from ambivalence to action. It doesn't require expertise on the person’s life. It requires trust in their capacity to kn

Esther Nava
Nov 13, 20253 min read


Impact of Combined Dietary and Psychological Treatments on ADHD Symptom Severity
Managing ADHD often requires a personalized blend of strategies that address both neurological and behavioral patterns. While dietary interventions and psychological therapies are each supported by evidence, recent studies suggest that combining the two may offer a stronger impact on symptom reduction — particularly in children. For families seeking non-pharmaceutical options or complementary approaches to medication, this combined route could provide a more comprehensive pat

Esther Nava
Nov 8, 20254 min read


Dietary Modifications vs. Psychological Therapies in Managing ADHD Symptoms
When exploring non-pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD, two popular categories often come up: dietary interventions and psychological therapies. Both have been studied extensively, and while each shows promise in certain contexts, their overall effectiveness differs. A comparison of these approaches reveals that psychological therapies — particularly behavioral strategies and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — tend to offer more consistent and broadly applicable benefits for

Esther Nava
Nov 8, 20254 min read


Beyond Executive and Cognitive Training: Other Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions for ADHD
When people think about managing ADHD without medication, executive function training or brain games often come to mind. But beyond cognitive drills and memory tasks, a growing body of research highlights a much wider range of non-pharmaceutical strategies that can improve attention, behavior, emotional regulation, and social functioning. These interventions target various aspects of a person’s life — from how they manage stress, to how they learn in school, to how families a

Esther Nava
Nov 8, 20256 min read


What Is Included in Cognitive Training for ADHD?
Cognitive training is an increasingly popular non-pharmaceutical approach to managing ADHD, especially for individuals seeking to strengthen executive functions without medication. At its core, cognitive training involves structured, repetitive tasks that specifically target brain functions tied to the prefrontal cortex. For people with ADHD, these exercises are designed to improve working memory, attention regulation, inhibitory control, planning, and mental flexibility — al

Esther Nava
Nov 8, 20254 min read


Eye Movements: A Window into Cognition and Healing
For many years, eye movements were believed to be passive responses to visual stimuli—simple mechanical adjustments to optimize focus. But current neuroscience paints a very different picture. Far from being mere reflexes, eye movements play an active, functional role in perception, memory, decision-making, and motor coordination . They do not simply reflect what we see; they actively shape how we think, remember, and behave. Research shows that various types of eye movements

Esther Nava
Nov 3, 20256 min read


Individual vs. Group EMDR: Choosing the Right Format for Trauma Treatment
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has established itself as a leading evidence-based therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions. Originally developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s as an individual therapy, EMDR has since evolved into a flexible modality that can be delivered in both individual and group formats. The expansion into group-based delivery has significant implications for mental health care systems, especial

Esther Nava
Nov 3, 20255 min read


EMDR Therapy and Treatment Completion: Why More Patients Stay the Course
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and often chronic mental health condition that affects individuals exposed to traumatic events. While several evidence-based treatments are available, a recurring challenge across therapeutic approaches is patient dropout. High attrition rates can significantly undermine the effectiveness of even the best therapies, making treatment adherence a crucial component in clinical outcomes. Among trauma-focused psychotherapies, Eye

Esther Nava
Nov 3, 20254 min read


EMDR vs. TF-CBT and PE: A First-Line Treatment for PTSD?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has steadily gained recognition over the past three decades as a powerful psychotherapy treatment for trauma. Initially met with skepticism, it is now widely accepted by clinicians, researchers, and mental health organizations as an evidence-based intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But how does EMDR compare to other well-established treatments such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT

Esther Nava
Nov 3, 20254 min read


Best Exercises for Breaking Codependent Habits: Evidence-Based Insights
TL;DR Breaking codependent habits requires more than awareness — it benefits from lifestyle changes that support mental and emotional...

Esther Nava
Sep 2, 20253 min read


Understanding Codependency: A Path Toward Healthier Relationships
TL;DR Codependency is a relationship pattern where one person over-prioritizes another’s needs while neglecting their own. It often leads...

Esther Nava
Sep 2, 20255 min read
Language Fluency and Migrant Dignity: Why Words Matter More Than You Think
TL;DR Language fluency is more than a communication skill for migrants—it’s a powerful tool for independence, identity, and belonging....

Esther Nava
Jul 19, 20253 min read
Navigating Identity: How Migrants Sustain a Coherent Sense of Self Across Cultures
TL;DR Migrants often navigate complex identity challenges as they balance their heritage culture with that of the host country. Through...

Esther Nava
Jul 19, 20254 min read
Relational Resilience Training for Immigrant Couples: Building Stronger Marriages Amid Migration Challenges
TL;DR Newly immigrated couples face unique relational stress due to cultural adaptation, financial uncertainty, and role changes....

Esther Nava
Jul 19, 20253 min read
Divorce Trends Among Immigrant Populations: How Culture, Policy, and Integration Shape Marital Outcomes
TL;DR Divorce rates among immigrant populations vary by host country, influenced by immigration policy, cultural norms, and gender roles....

Esther Nava
Jul 19, 20253 min read
From “Down-River” Rescue to Up-Stream Design: A New Vision for Public Health
Imagine standing beside a roaring river where people struggle in the current. In our traditional public‐health model, we scramble...

Esther Nava
Jul 19, 20252 min read
Beyond the Pill: The Scientific Revolution Reshaping Our Understanding of Mental Health
For decades, the conversation around mental health often felt fractured. Was it a chemical imbalance? A product of our childhood? Or a...

Esther Nava
Jul 19, 20255 min read
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