In the midst of the summer season, many of us will have increased interaction with clerks in stores and servers in restaurants. Most of us know how to conduct ourselves in public, but I often hear about people who complain … Continue reading →

According to a study done by LinkedIn.com, the #1 reason that three-quarters of employees dislike or hate their jobs is … the boss. But let’s take a closer look: If you dislike your boss because he or she has undesirable … Continue reading →

People often ask me how they can find an effective therapist in their area. Of course this presents a great opportunity to promote my most recent book, “Bad Therapy, Good Therapy (And How to Tell the Difference).” Short of ending … Continue reading →

People ask me all the time about the fear of flying. They usually follow it up by stating that without flying they would never go anywhere interesting. Then they ask me what to do. Everything has a price. A candy … Continue reading →

Many people are under the impression that they’re avoiding trouble in their relationships by not fighting. They mistakenly assume that the absence of fighting – or some disagreement – is an indication that the relationship is healthy. But that assumption … Continue reading →

“Ahh, retirement—no more commute, no more responsibilities. I can’t wait!” The holy grail of retirement is the reward for a lifetime of accomplishment and faithful employment. But for some people it ends up not living up to all it’s supposed … Continue reading →

One of the most positive characteristics of good mental health is a sense of humor. Even as early as the 13th century, physicians and philosophers described the health benefits of laughter. Clinical psychologist Rod A. Martin, Ph.D., of the University … Continue reading →

Letters like these make my day: “Dear Dr. Hurd: I was always taught in school and in church to be selfless when it comes to others’ needs and what they are thinking. But as I enter my mid-70s, I have … Continue reading →

Dreams have mystified and captivated us throughout history. We spend almost six years of our lives — 2,100 days — in the shadowy world of dreams. They have predicted events, started wars, and resolved business decisions. But because of their … Continue reading →

Road Rage has now become one of the latest “diseases” to be foisted upon us by the mental health profession. To make it even more official, they’ve even named it: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED for short). According to the National … 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 or success in your job, these things mean a lot more than … 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 →