THE REAL YOU
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and “The Fear of Fear Itself.”
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” FDR’s famous line from his first inaugural address used to strike me as a universal truth. He describes fear as “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” I…
The World Needs You to Follow Your Passion: Interview with Jessica Semaan, Founder of The Passion Company
To hear this article as a podcast, you can listen and download from the SoundCloud link above. Today’s story brings us to the busy intersection of fear, emptiness, creativity, self-love and passion. To get us there, I interview Jessica Semaan, founder of The Passion Company. Jessica has made it her full time job to help…
The California Drought and “Internal Droughts”: What to Do While You’re Waiting for Rain.
The California drought is probably on your mind if you’re a resident of this state. The news is hyping it and your friends are posting articles about the upcoming catastrophe. You’re doing your part: shorter showers, letting the yellow mellow, watching your yard go brown or pulling the whole thing out. Regardless, there you sit,…
Interview with Adriana Marchione: Using Art to Heal Grief
Art is an important part of healing. Read about documentary film maker, Adriana Marchione’s personal story of loss and her amazing film, When the Fall Comes.
Tech Overwork Culture is Killing Families
As a psychologist specializing in couples therapy, I get a daily worm’s-eye view of the fallout of the tech work life that has been described in various places. Most recently the New York Times article about the take-no-prisoners approach at Amazon has made a splash. The pain that this overwork culture causes employees is evident, but…
Do Black Lives Matter?: An Analysis of the Hit Show “Fear the Walking Dead”
I sat down to watch the first episode of the thrilling new zombie apocalypse show Fear the Walking Dead, by the creators of The Walking Dead. This follow-up series promised to rectify all the wrongs that were committed in the original. For the three of you who are unfamiliar with the original show, stop now, and…
Narcissism and the American Dream: What Donald Trump’s Presidential Candidacy Reveals about Us.
It’s the year 1985 and the self-proclaimed “richest and most powerful man in America” has arisen in the nation’s spotlight as an example of the pinnacle of American greatness. He resides in an opulent 27 story Vegas-style Casino, fashioned with his name and face emblazoned in brilliant lighting. He sits on a golden throne-like chair in…
Eliminating “Negative Emotions”
“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.” – Charles Dickens, Great Expectations “Without evil there can be no good so it must be good to be evil…
Wild Man in the Meadow
A cry filled the air of the dark October night, piercing the warmth of the fire with a chill much colder than the recent evenings at 8,000 feet. The scream didn’t quite seem of this world: it was part human, animal and mystery. Something was unleashing a voice of longing and letting go, anger and grief,…
Interview with Dr. Jessica Michaelson: Screen Time is a Feminist Issue
Dr. Jessica Michaelson explains why screen time parenting advice is an example of the way our society usurps a mother’s power to parent and take care of herself.
How Long Will Therapy Take?
It’s not infrequent that when I talk with people new to therapy they ask “How long will therapy take?” Not an unreasonable question, but almost always an unanswerable one. Pete Pearson of the Couples Institute gets credit for one of the best analogies I’ve heard, which is that the question “How long will therapy…
“Uh, That was Racist”: Getting Comfortable with Discomfort.
Okay, I’m going to say this right up front: Not all discomfort is worth putting up with. Sinking stomach; sweaty palms; hot cheeks; the hair prickling on the back of your neck. The anger you feel after someone cuts you off in traffic or the quickened pace of your heartbeat when you walk home alone…