Yesterday I was doing some research at a local library. A bus full of middle school children on a field trip was letting the students out in front of me. I made my way around the facility for a good twenty minutes when I overheard a frustrated woman struggling with her computer. She bolted from her computer terminal and marched up to a librarian and asked her for technical assistance. “I don’t have a clue,” the librarian candidly responded, “go ask…
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Read an excerpt from the highly acclaimed new book by world renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, MD.
Bessel van der Kolk on Trauma, Development and Healing
Internationally acclaimed clinician, educator and researcher Bessel van der Kolk, shares some observations from his 40-year passion for understanding and treating people who have experienced trauma.
Brad Strawn on Integrating Religion and Psychotherapy
Psychologist and Christian theologian, Brad Strawn, discusses the "new conversations" happening around the integration of religion and psychology, and the need for clinicians to work through their biases and fears about bringing religion into the therapy room, since "so many people believe in some kind of God."
Therapy: A Poem
A poem about the therapy experience from the vantage point of a client.
On Quitting The Practice of Psychotherapy
Former psychotherapist Michael Sussman discusses the perils of psychotherapy practice and the wisdom of knowing when to quit.
Counseling Kids: When a Cigar Is Just a Cigar
Nine year old Malcolm was one of the fortunate clients. Because his family had a very modest income a local counseling center with a sliding fee scale was seeing Malcolm on a pro bono basis. Better yet, the agency was providing free transportation for him on a school bus. His emotional difficulties began two years ago after his parents got a divorce. He was now living with his natural father and his new step-mother. Treatment seemed to be working well. Then…
A Short Piece on Disrespecting Teenagers
We have an American cultural norm to disrespect teenagers. For example, it’s probably common knowledge that teens are: Naturally difficult Not willing to listen to good common sense from adults Emotionally unstable Impulsively acting without thinking through consequences Wait, most of these are good descriptors of Bill O’Reilly. Isn’t he an adult? Seriously, most television shows, movies, and adult rhetoric tends toward dismissing and disrespecting teens. It’s not unusual for people to express sympathy to parents of teens. “It’s a hard time . . . I…
Psychotherapy with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients
With attempted suicide rates greater than 40% in the transgender community, it's important for clinicians to be aware of the issues gender nonconforming clients bring to therapy, and to be knowledgeable about how best to support them. Karisa Barrow challenges therapists to deconstruct the gender binary, identify and work through prejudices, and seek guidance from gender specialists to ensure that we "do no harm."
Thomas Moore on the Soul of Psychotherapy
Drawing upon his background in religion, psychology and the arts, Care of the Soul author, Thomas Moore, shares about the wisdom of creating a "psychotherapy of one's own."