A reader asked me to comment on an article written by the mother of a would-be killer, a violent young person with no conscience whom the mother felt should be entitled to mental health services to correct his low character. … Continue reading
The seasonal pressure to make everything (and everybody) instantly cheerful and merry can certainly be stressful. The timeless words, ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ can sometimes set the stage for tension, particularly among family and between married couples. Couples fight … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I disagree on your definition of Republicans’ religious authoritarianism. Religion is a way of life. Our belief in ethical values and our conscientiousness to do what’s right and being honest. We have concern to do what helps … Continue reading
We shouldn’t give ruthless killers undeserved dignity by asking “why” they do what they do. But the mindset behind the pulling of the trigger is not that difficult to identify. Stanton Samenow, author of the classic ‘Inside the Criminal Mind’ … Continue reading
Q: Isn’t coaching by phone (or email, or online chat) a bad idea, since the therapist/coach is unable to see the facial expressions and body movements of the client? A: According to a cognitive-behavioral therapist, the basic purpose of … Continue reading
As Margaret Thatcher once noted, sooner or later socialists run out of other people’s money. Obama and his Democratic Party deny they’re socialists. But they’re no different in principle or practice from socialists, so the label doesn’t matter. Their premise … Continue reading
The following is an excerpt from Dr. Michael Hurd’s most recent book, “Bad Therapy Good Therapy (And How to Tell the Difference)” available on this webiste: From Oprah to Dr. Phil, from Venus to Mars and all the other self-proclaimed … Continue reading
Democratic lawmakers have joined with Republicans in raising alarm about a looming ObamaCare-tied tax on medical devices, saying the additional tax is causing “uncertainty and confusion for businesses” and should be delayed. The previously obscure tax has, over the last … Continue reading
People often ask me, ‘How much is too much?’ In other words, at what point does something become an addiction? If a person consumes X number of drinks (or cigarettes, or slices of bacon, or whatever) in one day, is … Continue reading
CNSnews.com reports: The unemployment rate for civilian government workers plunged from 4.2 percent in October to 3.8 percent in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as government added 35,000 to its taxpayer-funded payrolls during the month. In October, … Continue reading
One of the ‘bibles’ of the mental health profession is the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM). It is used extensively by psychotherapists and other mental health professionals in diagnosing mental disorders, syndromes and other problems. … Continue reading
Past or present, old-fashioned or “progressive,” most parents still agree on one thing: Teach your child not to be selfish. If you ask me, this is the single biggest mistake a parent can make. Telling a child not to be … Continue reading