Living at the beach is one of the best things in my life – in spite of the fact that the probability of rough weather tends to increase when you live adjacent to an ocean. Given the unique coastal geography … Continue reading →

The American Psychological Association reports that the use of social media has skyrocketed from seven percent of American adults in 2005 to 65 percent or more today. For those in the 18-29 age range, the increase is larger, from 12 … Continue reading →

Readers ask me if it’s possible to be a “rush-a-holic,” i.e., to be addicted to rushing or being in a hurry. I have to admit that that’s a new one, but I believe that it’s not the rushing itself that … Continue reading →

Barely a day goes by that I don’t receive notes from readers asking how to discuss emotional issues rationally; politics in particular. One of the first tools I suggest it to ask questions. Don’t ask hostile questions; just honest, thoughtfully … Continue reading →

One of the biggest impediments to human associations is the unwillingness to say what you think and ask for what you want. Note the word “ask”; no one is entitled to anything from another person simply because he or she … Continue reading →

In my 35+ years talking to people professionally, I have discovered that most people’s fears are not rational, i.e., not based on facts. Most fear results in nothing more than avoidance just for the sake of avoidance. “If I avoid … Continue reading →

People often ask me about the virtue of loyalty. The mental health profession generally falls into line behind widely accepted virtues as a measure of mental health, so is loyalty in fact healthy, wise and good? Many people equate loyalty … Continue reading →

A Coast Press reader writes, “I’m hoping you can help out with my 27-year-old son. He was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) back in high school, and nothing has been the same since. He’s just an older version … Continue reading →

As the summer season gets into high gear, some of us will celebrate by eating anything we want. And that’s apparently OK – if the eating takes place under certain conditions. Today we will itemize and analyze six of these … Continue reading →

I’ve always liked the old proverb, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” I always want to follow it up with something like, “So you’d better be ready for whatever might be down that … Continue reading →

I received an anxious email from a reader who is seeking “closure” from his girlfriend who recently dumped him. Closure is a vague but popular concept that means seeking a neat, painless ending along with the cool, detached perspective of … Continue reading →