Psychotherapy

The Boy Who Finally Stopped Washing: OCD From Both Sides of the Couch
John B. is a therapist who both suffers from and treats OCD. In this memoir, he describes what it’s like to live with OCD, and, in general terms, the treatments that helped him and his clients. Unfortunately, although the book contains some vivid descriptions of John B.’s OCD along with some information on suggested treatment, [...]
Mindfulness Skills Useful in Addressing ADHD
Mindfulness meditation for people with ADHD? It may seem like a stretch, since difficulty with mindfulness is the very challenge for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. And yet recent research shows that mindfulness training can be adapted for this condition and that it can improve concentration. Various clinicians and educators are already teaching mindfulness [...]
In the Therapist’s Chair
If there is only one therapy book you read this year, then this is the one. In the easygoing, almost effortless style of Irvin Yalom, Nancy McWilliams and Jeffrey A. Kottler, Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn has created a moving, insightful and poignant set of six case studies in her first book, “In the Therapist’s Chair.” [...]
Understanding the Effects of Trauma: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The essential psychological effect of trauma is a shattering of innocence. Trauma creates a loss of faith that there is any safety, predictability, or meaning in the world, or any safe place in which to retreat. It involves utter disillusionment. Because traumatic events are often unable to be processed by the mind and body as [...]
An Overview of Depression and Money Issues
Being in debt, broke, and unemployed can lead to depression but the converse is also true: Depression can precipitate financial meltdown. There is the issue of lost wages. People who are depressed take off more time from work. In fact, according to a 2008 study reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry mental illness costs America [...]
Depression Myths and Facts Demystified
Almost 15 million Americans suffer from clinical depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Depression is also the leading cause of disability among 15- to 44-year-olds. Still, even though depression is so common, there are many misconceptions about its symptoms, causes and treatment. The problem is that misinformation gives rise to stigma and [...]
Replacing Your Negative Thoughts
Negative thought replacement is a method for reducing the amount of depressive thoughts in a person’s mind. In the first article of this series, you learned about becoming more aware of your negative thought patterns. In the next article, you learned about letting go of these negative thoughts as they came to you. [...]
Depression and Letting Go of Negative Thoughts
When negative thoughts hit your brain, it’s tempting to struggle with them and try to shove a more positive thought in there. In the day-to-day reality of someone’s thinking, this doesn’t really work. Your emotions have a tough grip on these negative thoughts, so you’ll have the best results if you imagine yourself [...]
Becoming Aware of Your Depressive Thoughts
When you are in a really down mood, the negative thoughts just keep firing one after another. No matter what happens, these thoughts seem to fuel your bad mood. They just make everything worse, buzzing in the background like a swarm of wasps. Sometimes, these thoughts can keep you locked into a [...]
Stop Fast-Forwarding Your Depression Healing
“You were such a happy baby,” my mom told me on the eve of my 21st birthday. “I’d come into your room in the mornings and you’d be standing there, looking up at me, like, “‘hello!’” My mom smiled slightly, and then promptly started crying. It was all I could do not to join [...]
Depression and Substance Abuse: The Chicken or the Egg?
There’s a saying in the recovery movement: Alcohol and drug addiction can cause mental illness but mental illness does not cause addiction. However, some mental illnesses, especially those that are not quickly diagnosed and treated, can trigger the use of alcohol and drugs. Depressive disorders often cause acutely uncomfortable feelings such as overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, [...]
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Depression in Older Adults
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is becoming increasingly widespread and research continues to suggest that it is an effective treatment for a broad range of problems. Therapists, treatment providers and individuals continue to seek out DBT in order to alleviate severe and debilitating emotional and behavioral problems. There is promising research to indicate that [...]
A Lifetime of Joy after Clinical Depression
This is a true story, as told to us by Alice (not her real name): When I was born my mother was dismayed — she didn’t want a child so soon after marriage and resented the attention I received. She told me several times that I was a mistake and unwanted. She told me that I [...]
Depression Treatment in Tough Economic Times
One of the most difficult things about depression treatment is the cost. It isn’t any more expensive than medical treatment, but it usually isn’t automatically covered by insurance, you have to wait a period to get reimbursed, and it is generally not a quick fix. It makes it more important than ever to [...]
The ADHD Marriage
Myrna has been married to Jon for 35 years. Up until eight years ago, they were constantly bickering. As much as they loved each other and their kids, they couldn’t seem to get through a day without arguments and recriminations. She felt constantly let down. He felt constantly nagged. Then he got a diagnosis that [...]