The American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America survey has highlighted, what they call, a “crisis of connection.” The survey finds that 62% of adults find societal division a significant source of stress in their lives. Moreover, half of Americans report feelings of emotional disconnection, including social isolation; feeling “left out;” and a lack of companionship. I hear similar themes from my adult patients every week. The irony is that most people want connection, but they can’t seem to find each other. What is to be done?

Start by connecting with yourself. This may seem like odd advice, given that we struggle to connect with others, but understanding ourselves and our emotional needs is an important........

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