People occasionally confide to me that they don’t believe in psychotherapy. When I ask them to clarify, it often boils down to the idea that therapy requires “uncritical belief.” Sadly, that’s true of many things nowadays, but it’s certainly not … Continue reading
A Delaware Coast Press reader asked me the difference between an “irrational” (her words) avoidance of people versus true and healthy solitude. To figure out what’s irrational, you have to back up and define what kinds of interactions with other … 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
One of my columns a few months ago asserted that alcoholism and substance abuse are problem behaviors – not diseases. A disease, I wrote, is something that progresses inside your body, and can only be stopped by passive submission to … Continue reading
I often warn my clients about believing arbitrary assertions. Sometimes it can be convenient to do so, but acting on something for which there are no facts to back it up can be psychologically unhealthy. Here’s an example excerpted from … Continue reading
People often say that an apology is a good way to have the last word. If that is so, then why is it difficult for many people to apologize — even when they know they’re wrong? I talk to a … Continue reading
Far from being something mysterious, the power of suggestion is often a part of everyday life. For example, let’s say you mistakenly drink a caffeinated beverage close to bedtime, but don’t realize it until the next day. You’re surprised that … Continue reading
Most of us remember the childhood thrill of going on vacation. The preparation, counting the days — and the getting up at 3 or 4 in the morning to leave. Through the fog of fitful backseat dozing, I remember dragging … Continue reading
Do you sometimes put off until tomorrow what you should really do today? Well, you’re not alone. People often tell me that their procrastination is so bad that it causes problems and stress in their jobs and in their personal … Continue reading
A Delaware Coast Press reader sent me this note: “While preparing to have my first child, I did some research and resolved that I was going to breast feed. I couldn’t wait to share this momentous decision with my aunt, … Continue reading
A Delaware Wave reader writes that a long-time acquaintance of hers recently passed away. The upshot is that most people she knew didn’t like the woman who died. She was obnoxious, and spread bad rumors about everyone. The reader writes … Continue reading
A reader emails that insignificant things often annoy her. She writes that she was upset in a restaurant recently because a child was making some noise. She admits that the kid was just being a kid, and that the parents … Continue reading