The subject of spanking children is a perpetually unresolved debate that stirs up a lot of emotion, but not a lot of reasoning. From a purely psychological point of view, however, there is compelling evidence as to why physical punishment … Continue reading →

It’s good for your mental health to appreciate material things such as your car, your clothes, your house – whatever. But, wait … wasn’t I supposed to say something like, “Things aren’t really important. It’s your ‘inner life’ (whatever that … Continue reading →

Will Rogers said: “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” And we know that it’s all too true. In my experience, much of this spending, buying and … Continue reading →

My therapy office is exactly eleven steps from the waiting room. About a minute ago, I found myself standing out there; utterly clueless as to why I went in the first place. Whatever my perfectly good reason had been for … Continue reading →

The tragic passing of local restaurateur and friend Matt Haley got me thinking about how we humans manage to cope with loss and the changes it can bring to our lives. The death of a family member, friend or an … Continue reading →

A concert band, of which several of my friends are members, recently performed at the Rehoboth bandstand. Their performance, coupled with a warm breeze and the sound of the ocean, made for a delightful evening. As they played, I couldn’t … Continue reading →

“Empty Nest Syndrome.” What a great name! Though I’ve talked to many moms and dads who, frankly, see it as a cause for celebration, some have trouble coping with the loss of … well, when you get right down to … Continue reading →

Vacation can be the perfect time to celebrate the positive aspects of being married or in a committed relationship. But there are negative aspects as well, and I see them every day. It’s not my intention to cast a shadow … Continue reading →

It’s surprising how many people out there are afraid of flying. Many of those I encounter tell me that what worries them the most is incompetent mechanics on the ground or cost-cutting CEOs sending an airplane with maintenance problems up … Continue reading →

Many people have cut back on their spending because of the current economy. This makes sense — provided that these conditions are just a reminder of what they should have been doing all along. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for … Continue reading →

People sometimes tell me how concerned they are that they — or their children — not be “losers.” They’re almost always surprised when I tell them that losing can actually be good for your mental health. In a competitive sense, … Continue reading →