In spite of the fact that warmer weather is just around the corner, I still encounter people who feel depressed and gloomy not only through the winter but even as the promise of spring is within reach. This is often … Continue reading
TV sitcoms and movies are full of amusing portrayals of controlling mothers. Interestingly, many of the people who ask me serious questions on this subject are, in fact, mothers themselves, and they’re usually referring to experiences with their own mothers. … Continue reading
I love this quote from Will Rogers: “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” And it’s true – on many levels. In my experience, much of this … Continue reading
One of the questions I regularly encounter in my office is how a person can approach a loved one or a friend about their drinking without the loved one or friend going on the defensive. Years ago, one of those … Continue reading
A lot of people like to read peppy little affirmations first thing in the morning. But some clients tell me that fluffy, hyperbolic one-size-fits-all platitudes feel like nothing more than false hype. That annoyance can make it difficult to absorb … Continue reading
People often ask me how they can find an effective therapist in their area. Of course this gives me a great opportunity to promote my book, “Bad Therapy, Good Therapy (And How to Tell the Difference).” Short of ending this … Continue reading
Many people are under the impression that they can avoid trouble in their relationships by not arguing. They mistakenly assume that the absence of fighting – or any disagreement – is an indication that the relationship is healthy. But that … Continue reading
Contrary to what the drug companies would have you think, anxiety can sometimes be useful and necessary. Like, for example, when that anxiety triggers a call to sensible action. Let’s say you feel anxious at the sight of an oncoming … Continue reading
Friends who own restaurants are telling me more and more about potential employees who present glowing resumes, then don’t come close to living up to what they claimed they knew. The next thing you know they’re applying for unemployment. I … Continue reading
People regularly ask me what factors or behaviors can prevent a person from finding a loving relationship. The answer boils down to a combination of reasons, the first of which is simply not searching persistently enough. One must always be … Continue reading
Barely a day goes by that we don’t hear some “expert” refer to alcohol and drug problems as medical diseases. Though some in my field still maintain those false beliefs, many more are finally waking up to the fact that … Continue reading
We hear the word “crazy” being thrown around just about every day. “He’s crazy to say that!” Or, “She must be crazy to believe that!” In the great majority of cases when people call another person crazy they don’t really … Continue reading