The following is an excerpt from my book, Bad Therapy Good Therapy (And How to Tell the Difference), available for sale on this site, and elsewhere. Case Example of an Arbitrary Assertion Joe and Melissa have been married for sixteen … Continue reading
Psychologically, people tend to struggle with a false alternative. On the one side, they bottle up their feelings. On the other side, they express their feelings, but in an indiscriminate way. Mental health professionals have largely failed their patients/clients in … Continue reading
A very good article published by Ronald Riggio, Ph.D., at psychologytoday.com challenges the idea that first born children usually end up high achievers. Riggio states, It is important to also note that when we rely on our own experience, we … Continue reading
Wise words from an article on the psychology of complaining at psychologytoday.com: If you decide you want to lodge a complaint, make a plan, says Winch. First, determine exactly what you want to achieve (don’t let someone else pick a … Continue reading
A reader writes: Dear Dr. Hurd: A persistent problem I’ve had is why on earth people (and a lot of them) think that if they know a person, somehow that person’s bad behavior is exempt from moral condemnation. For example, … Continue reading
A psychology student writes with the following questions: “What is your opinion on escapism, i.e., the act of escaping everyday stress through fantasy and entertainment? Is it a healthy way to relieve stress?” Dr. Hurd replies: The term “escapism” usually … Continue reading
Following an article I wrote about marriage, a reader commented on Facebook: Marriage requires an enduring commitment, selflessness (dedication to something other than oneself), and a well-developed sense of humor, among other attributes. Selfish people rarely make it work….” Another … Continue reading
“He changed his mind.” Or: “I hope she changes her mind.” Or: “Maybe you can change his mind.” “Change your mind.” It’s a simple, everyday statement. It passes without notice. But it contains more profound assumptions than most of us … Continue reading
The following was published several years ago in my booklet, Human Relationships in Plain English. Are homosexuals “born that way”? There’s no way to answer this question for certain. In order to do so, we would have to know everything … Continue reading
Probably the best tribute to an actor is to mourn not just that actor’s passing, but the loss of the character he brought to life. Many are distressed not just because the actor is gone; but the character — Mr. … Continue reading
“Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something: they’re trying to find someone who’s going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a … Continue reading
At the very mention of the word “philosophy,” most people tune out and head for the intellectual and psychological equivalent of the hills. But philosophy involves our most fundamental thinking about literally everything: our minds, our purpose in life, how … Continue reading