In his latest book, ‘The Myth of the ‘Out of Character’ Crime,’ clinical psychologist and author Stanton Samenow writes, “No matter how grim the situation, no threat by an authority or anyone else can compel someone to change against his … Continue reading →

English novelist George Eliot wrote, ‘Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.’ In this chatty age when just about anybody, qualified or not, can mount their electronic soapbox and spout off, the quiet … Continue reading →

Regulars here at Life’s a Beach! know that I often describe myself as a cognitive therapist. Has a nice scientific ring to it, don’t you think? Aside from sounding official, just what is this kind of therapy? People ask me, … Continue reading →

It’s often said that you need a license to drive a car, open a business or to serve liquor, but that you don’t need a license to raise a child. Though the word ‘license’ implies some sort of ‘permission,’ the … Continue reading →

An unknown, but apparently bitter person once wrote, ‘Valentine’s Day is when a lot of married people are reminded what a poor shot Cupid really is.’ Though that might be a bit overstated, there are certain conflicts in relationships that … Continue reading →

Have you noticed how we humans tend to value something less if we didn’t work for it or earn it somehow? If you work hard for your car, your house, or success in your job, these things mean a lot … Continue reading →

This may sound strange coming from a therapist, but I’ve come to resent the notion of “self-help” — at least the kind you buy in a bookstore or see on TV talk shows. My primary gripe is with the self-help … Continue reading →

  A Wave reader in West Ocean City writes:   Dear Dr. Hurd, As a mother of three, I was delighted with last week’s article [Lying Can Be Hazardous to your Mental Health, 4/5/06]. I have tried to impress on … Continue reading →

I received some interesting responses to my recent article about ‘feeling good’ being a primary goal in life. The majority of your comments centered on the role that friends, family and even TV news programs play in making us feel … Continue reading →

On online ‘screening quiz’ at psychcentral.com suggests that concern about fire or burglary in your home, catching a disease or inadvertently causing harm to a loved one could be signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Some sort of attention to … Continue reading →

Barely a day goes by when someone doesn’t ask, ‘how you’re feeling.’ Given all this concern, it seems like ‘feeling good’ should be the primary goal of our human experience. But in fact it’s not. Wait ‘ before you turn … Continue reading →

Champagne, eggnog and too many cocktail wieners can sometimes result in some pretty outlandish New Year’s resolutions. You have to admit that it’s a little tricky to ‘say what you mean and mean what you say’ when you’re trying to … Continue reading →