Most people try to fix internal emotional pain by changing the external world—pursuing success, relationships, or possessions. But as a psychiatrist specializing in integrative approaches to anxiety, depression, and PTSD, I see how this often backfires. Cognitive defusion and self-compassion offer a proven path to change how you feel from the inside out. What is the likelihood of success in solving this internal challenge when all of one's attention is on the external world?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and various anxiety disorders are some of the most debilitating mental health...