According to psychodynamic therapy, there can be numerous sources for this desire to frustrate one's success and gratification. For example, for many individuals, the idea of being more successful than one's parents or other family members is very uncomfortable. Similarly, at a certain stage of personality development, some individuals learn to control behavior by punishing themselves through negative feelings such as guilt and shame. Although such a process has a much-needed place in civilized society, it is common for the individual to over-learn this mechanism, feeling guilty for having thoughts and fantasies he or she finds socially unacceptable. Within this context, the therapist helps the client to let go of maladaptive self-punishing behaviors that may be frustrating his or her success and achievement of deserved satisfaction. Toward this same end, CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) employs structured, systematic techniques to refine the individual's focus, clarity and concentration. By reducing many of the distractions contained in one's unwanted thoughts, feelings and behaviors, CBT greatly enhances the potential for goal-directed behavior.

James and Heather Robbins, the co-owners of Dallas Whole Life Counseling, are experienced executive/career coaches as well licensed psychotherapists. Although coaching has much in common with therapy, its focus is different. Career coaching encourages the client to define and work toward concrete career goals while maintaining a positive, solution-focused attitude. James often utilizes neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) techniques, to help clients move beyond old, self-limiting habits of thinking, feeling and doing as they move toward their ideal career and enjoy new levels of success.