By Jo-Ann H. Bird, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, Dip.ABS

Click here to contact Jo-Ann and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

We know that relationships can be stressful in good economic times. Thanks to the economic problems facing our country today, many couples are experiencing even more stress. This added stress can weigh heavily on couples and create problems even in good relationships. Some couples react to stress by withdrawing while others, take their frustrations out on each other. What is important is how couples manage this stress instead of reacting to it. Here are some tips to help you “stress-proof” your relationship: (more…)

By Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Click here to contact Arthur and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

DYADIC DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOTHERAPY is a treatment approach to trauma, neglect, loss, and/or other dysregulating experiences that is based on principles derived from Attachment Theory and Research.

DYADIC DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOTHERAPY involves creating a safe setting in which the client can begin to explore, resolve, and integrate a wide range of memories, emotions, and current experiences, that are frightening, stressful, avoided or denied. Safety is created by insuring that this exploration occurs with nonverbal attunement, reflectivenonjudgmentaldialogue, along with empathy and reassurance. As the process unfolds, the client is creating a coherent lifestoryor autobiographical narrativewhich is crucial for attachment security and is a strong protective factor against psychopathology. Therapeutic progress occurs within the joint activities of coregulating affect and coconstructing meaning. (more…)

By Dr. Noah H. Kersey, Ph.D.

Imagine a classified ad for parents. It might read:

“Wanted, parents to raise young children to adulthood. The only requirement for this position is the ability to procreate. No education, training or experience necessary. In addition, there’s no salary, no sick leave or vacation time”.

No other job in the world with such a description has so many of us lined up to take on such a difficult and demanding task as raising children.

They do not come with instructions, so it is on-the-job training and it is easy to think one is getting a failing grade, no matter how hard the parent attempts to do well. (more…)

By: Greg Madison Ph.D.

Click here to contact Greg and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

(Published in The Focusing Connection, 2003)
*Focusing is a natural way of being with our own experience, patiently, until it becomes
more clear. Information on Focusing can be found at www.focusing.org
Unbeknownst to most clients, psychotherapy remains governed by many theories and
boundary ‘rules’, the actual purpose of which may be to protect the therapist from his or
her own anxiety . In this short piece, an existential therapist uses Focusing to attempt to
remain open to the difficult experience of being with a dying client. Through this example
of his work in an acute hospital setting, Greg suggests that Focusing can be a crucial
aspect of redefining therapy as a human relationship rather than an expert one.
The medical and nursing team called me to meet Loyola, a patient who was refusing to
accept her terminal diagnosis and return home. Walking onto the ward I became aware of
a nervous feeling in my stomach. Although feeling nervous is not unusual for me, I
decided to focus on this particular ‘nervousness’ and it soon became clear that it was
about carrying the staff’s expectation that I would convince Loyola that she had to go
home. The nervousness was that she might see my ulterior motive and realise that she
could not trust me to hear her experience. But finding the meaning of my nervousness at
that moment felt exciting and it suddenly became easy to set aside the staff’s expectation.
I approached Loyola feeling open to her and much freer to really meet this new person.
When I entered her room, she was sitting up in bed and her short hair and slim figure
gave her the appearance of a young boy rather than the 54-year-old grandmother that she
was. She responded to my openness and with a broad smile indicated that she was happy
to talk with me. (more…)

By: Debra L. Kaplan, MA, LAC, LISAC

Not too long ago, a client who I was treating for prescription drug abuse, looked at me and said, “It’s my desperate need to silence my feelings that drives me to want to use.” She went on to describe what it felt like to live in her skin. “It’s as if the people in my life are at the controls of this rollercoaster called my life and I’m trapped and I can’t get off. I like or hate the ride based on how I feel about them at that moment; in my mind you’re either with me or against me. But I can’t fire them from the controls!” (more…)

By Jeanine Austin, Ph.D.

The other day I was in my car and listening to a wonderful oldie by the Lovin’ Spoonful. I think they captured what the decision making process is all about in their song “Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind.”

“Did you ever have to make up your mind?
Pick up on one and leave the other behind?
It’s not often easy and not often kind,
Did you ever have to make up your mind?” (more…)

By Jennifer B Baxt, LMFT, LMHC

While there have been many advances made in the mental health field over the last quarter century, with mental health professionals acknowledging more and more mental illnesses and how they develop, one aspect of mental health is still not widely discussed. This is the actual impact that physical illness has on one’s mental health. (more…)

By Pamela Simmons

Click here to contact Pamela and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Are you ambitious, focused on achievement, the bearer of parental authority and values? Do you take yourself seriously, seek the approval of others, and come down hard on yourself when making mistakes? Chances are that you are the first-born child in your family. First-born children tend to be responsible, conservative, and more suggestible than their siblings. (more…)