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 Edward W. Wilson, Ph.D., MAC

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

It is difficult to make a decision to seek treatment for alcohol abuse, dependency, or addiction. But having made that choice it becomes even more confusing when seeking an appropriate type of program. Essentially the first decision comes down to opting for either Inpatient or Out-Patient.

First consider In-Patient, commonly referred to as “Residential.” Generally these programs run from 30 – 90 days at an average cost of $1000/day, though some may run three or four times that amount. Usually the client is confined to a facility, shielded from outside pressures, assessed, counseled, and released to aftercare which usually consists of weekly groups at a hospital, clinic, or other local facility and the mandate “don’t drink, attend AA, work your program.” (more…)

By: Mitchell Milch, LCSW

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

Anger is a lit match that can be blown on and cooled or thrown onto a pile of paper on which kerosene is poured. It’s an opportunity for friends and lovers to resolve conflicts to the benefit of both parties and bring these parties closer to each other or it can be an invitation to start a war and turn partners into enemies. The following recommendations approach anger as an opportunity to build bridges and meaningful connections. (more…)

By: Dore E. Frances, M.A.

The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above.  The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org.

Teenage Cutting and Other Self-Harm Often Done to Control Emotions, Draw a Reaction

Teen self-injury, such as cutting, may be more common than previously thought. Cutting is the practice of teens who purposely injure themselves by using a sharp object to scratch or cut their skin deep enough to draw blood. It’s a type of self-injury behavior typically seen more often among younger teen girls, although older teens and boys can also engage in cutting. (more…)

By: Melissa C Miller, LCSW

“Back to school” means a lot of things to parents – getting the kids used to going to bed earlier, saying ‘no’ to extra TV and computer time, giving older kids weeknight curfews again, arranging after school day-care. For some parents it means packing up hopes, dreams, clothes and dorm room furnishings and taking a child off to college. (more…)

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

A glance at many magazines today will offer practical advice and “how to” strategies for the pursuit of the man or woman of our dreams. Let’s face it—sexy tag lines and catchy subtitles make for good print copy but do little for building healthy and sound relationships. Projecting our wants, expectations or intentions onto our partners-to-be only serves to foreshadow the inevitable relational demise. It is as if we build in our own obsolescence from the very start. (more…)

By: Sam Schaperow, MSMFT, LMFT

There are many ways that people can decrease work stress. One can meditate, eat something delicious during breaks, do daily yoga, get counseled (expert feedback on how to do things differently) on how to do their job differently, have a backup plan if they are stressed out about the possibility of being laid off, etc. But that deep process of psychotherapy, which still has some stigma about being just for the mentally ill, how useful can it be? This article answers this question from the perspective of an actual psychotherapist with years of experience treating actual clients for work stress. (more…)

By Jeanine Austin, Ph.D.

The other day I watched the movie Bandidas with Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz. Knowing that Hayek and Cruz are good friends and seem to have a great time together, I was curious to hear them narrate the director’s cut. When listening to it, I immediately noticed what a generous spirit Penelope Cruz had toward others, especially her friend Salma. Penelope told a story about how kind Salma was to her when she first arrived in the United States from Spain. When Salma had a different recollection of the days certain shots were filmed, Penelope deferred her argument. Several times Penelope allowed Salma to take center stage and exclaimed things such as, “Salma, look how small your waist is!” This seemed to me to be a wonderful yet simple example of generosity of spirit. (more…)

By Jeanine Austin, Ph.D.

“The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step”~ Lao Tzu

Many clients come to me with an inkling of the life they want to live, but they aren’t really sure how to make that inkling manifest. “Where do I or should I start?” they ask.

Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”. What can you do? What is one small step you could take in the direction of your passion? Could you talk to others who are doing what you’d like to do? Could you read inspiring books? Could you go to the library or peruse the internet to research your interests? Could you go the place where your heroes worked and walk on their hollowed ground? (more…)