Paranoid Personality Traits Should Capture Our Attention
Some suspiciousness is healthy. If we get a text, for example, we may resent the intrusion and question its legitimacy. What do they want? Access to an account? Our money? Too much suspicion sends other signals. Paranoia is that unwarranted feeling that people are out to do us harm. To rise to the level of […]
ChatGPT-Induced Psychosis and the Good-Enough Therapist
AI chatbots are becoming more common as replacements for or adjuncts to psychotherapy. Are there aspects of a therapeutic relationship with a human that can’t be replaced by AI? What can we learn about the nature of therapy itself by studying our interactions with AI? AI Companion Safety Concerns Although recent research suggests that AI […]
When Mental Health Is Medical: The Cost of Missed Diagnosis
As therapists, we’re trained to explore the psychological roots of emotional distress. We dig into trauma histories, family systems, attachment wounds, and patterns of regulation and dysregulation. We learn to validate complexity, especially with clients navigating dissociative identity disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder. And yet, the Mental health field still struggles to address these conditions […]
The Power of Paws | Psychology Today
In Western societies, dogs are more than pets—they’re companions, family members, and, in many cases, emotional anchors. The human-animal bond has long been the subject of fascination and study, yet research has often oversimplified this relationship by focusing on single dimensions like attachment or satisfaction. A recent, more nuanced study by Turcsán and colleagues, published […]
To My Narcissistic Friend: Thanks for Being My Toxic Mirror
“It’s okay to let go of those who couldn’t love you. Those who didn’t know how to. Those who failed to even try. It’s okay to outgrow them, because that means you filled the empty space in you with self-love instead. You’re outgrowing them because you’re growing into you. And that’s more than okay; that’s […]
Infidelity in Relationships and Recovery in Couples Therapy
Infidelity is probably one of the most painful and destabilizing events that can occur in a romantic relationship. It breaks trust, can lead to psychological trauma, emotional suffering, or even the onset of mental illness, and often raises questions about the future of the relationship. As a couples therapist, I’ve noticed that the meaning of […]
Effective Communication in Romantic Relationships
Disclaimer: If you are currently in a relationship where you feel unsafe, coerced, manipulated, or emotionally or physically harmed, this post is not a substitute for safety planning or professional guidance. Please seek support from a domestic violence hotline or a trusted professional to ensure your well-being. Qualities of effective communication and how it helps […]
Research Says: Let Your Teen Sleep In
How hard was it to get your teens out of bed this weekend? Many teenagers—and let’s be honest, adults, too—like to bank some extra hours of sleep on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re the kind of parent who likes your kids to get up early on weekends so they don’t get too far off their […]
Balancing Truth-Telling With Diplomacy | Psychology Today
In a recent episode of The Hard Skills podcast, I dug into the double-bind familiar to so many women leaders navigating workplace politics dynamics: Speak up and risk being branded “too aggressive”; back down and risk being labeled “too soft.” As leaders, we’re expected to speak up and be open and authentic, but as women […]
Our Hidden Crisis: Too Many of Us Feel Like We Don’t Matter
I experienced something I’ll never forget in a hospital room ten years ago. My first son had just been born, and the nurse ushered me in to meet him. Restless and crying, he frantically reached out his arms. I lowered my hand, and his tiny fingers gripped my index finger and didn’t let go. His […]