A reader emails that he and his wife want to attend marriage counseling — not for any specific reason, but just to make things ‘as vibrant and healthy as possible.’ (People often make appointments to simply ‘fine-tune’ some aspect of … Continue reading →

Since I moved here to the beach, so many people have proudly told me, ‘Things are so peaceful around here; we don’t even lock our doors!’ I don’t understand why it seems to be a matter of pride to not … Continue reading →

Just when I think nobody’s paying attention, my email box fills up responses to this column! In what was apparently a delayed reaction to an article from a few weeks ago, many of you asked if the emotion of pity … Continue reading →

Apparently I caught somebody’s attention with my recent article where I explored the possibility that ‘too much’ perfection can cause psychological problems such as obsessive behavior. Most of your responses centered on the prospect that perfectionism could also lead to … Continue reading →

Many people assume that mental health is either a matter of medicine or moral weakness. The medicine side assumes that medical treatment will eradicate mental illness, and that’s pretty much all there is to it. The moral side assumes that … Continue reading →

I’d like to add the name of Cesar Millan, National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Whisperer,’ to the ranks of the mental health establishment. Episode after episode, he consistently delivers on his assertion, ‘I rehabilitate dogs. I train people.’ Yes, Millan is … Continue reading →

It’s the eternal question: When divorce becomes a possibility, is it better for parents to stay together for the sake of the kids, or separate in an attempt to find personal happiness? This is a real-life dilemma for almost half … Continue reading →

Barely a week goes by where somebody doesn’t ask me what mistake people make most often. Regular ‘Life’s a Beach!’ readers can probably predict my answer: The biggest mistake people make is trying to control others. We can’t control the … Continue reading →

I received an email from a teenager who tells me that his parents treat him more harshly than they treat his older brother. They are not abusive, but they hold him to a stricter standard. His brother gets Cs and … Continue reading →

I received an email from a reader who echoes my philosophy that ideas are the cause of emotions and actions. She went on to say that she felt that psychiatric drugs cannot be the primary tool for correcting negative thoughts … Continue reading →

Dear Dr. Hurd, Why do people sometimes back away from friends who are very sick or who are mourning the death of a loved one? Last year, my husband got a terminal illness and passed away suddenly. During his illness, … Continue reading →

I’m pleased to (finally!) announce the publication of my third book, ‘Bad Therapy, Good Therapy (And How to Tell the Difference).’ Among other things, it contains real-life examples of how some kinds of therapy can actually be harmful. Like any … Continue reading →