A review of existential psychologist and author Kirk Schneider’s latest work, which explores the nature and power of awe through interviews of people personally transformed by an emotion which has been much neglected by psychology.
Turning Blaming into Confiding in Couples Therapy
The defining task in a Collaborative Couple Therapy session is to create an intimate conversation out of whatever is happening—frequently a fight. Sometimes that means helping the partner who has just been accused deal with the accusation. Sometimes, and this is my focus in this write-up, that means reshaping the accusing partner’s angry statement. I speak as if I were that partner, translating his/her blaming statement into a confiding one, in a method similar to doubling in psychodrama. I show…
Training in Couples Therapy
Why might a therapist who works primarily with individuals consider studying couples’ therapy? If you work from an attachment perspective, as an increasing number of therapists do, then training in couples therapy may greatly inform and improve your work.
Lonnie Barbach on Sex Therapy
Renowned author, psychologist and sex therapist Lonnie Barbach discusses the early days of discovery in the human sexuality field, her pioneering work with preorgasmic women, and addressing sexual issues in individual and couples therapy.
The 7 real reasons why psychotherapists flunk their licensing and certification exams
A friend of mine (let’s call him Kurt to preserve confidentiality and perhaps more importantly not to embarrass him) told me was gearing up to take his state licensing exam. Had he prepared for the exam? “Come on Rosenthal, I just spent two of the best years of life in grad school and another three or so in supervision. I think I know this stuff by now.” “Really,” I remarked. “Who is the father of rational emotive behavior therapy?” “Come on dude, that’s…
Training in Microexpressions
There is a growing movement in psychotherapy towards reading clients’ facial microexpressions and body “tells”. One of the leaders in this movement is Stan Tatkin, PsyD, who teaches a Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT). I recently talked with Dr. Tatkin about how he uses microexpressions to enhance couples therapy.
Couch Fiction
Couch Fiction allows you to peep through the key-hole of the therapy room door and read the mind of the protagonists.
Frank Ochberg on Treating PTSD
Dr. Ochberg, a leading PTSD and trauma specialist, discusses the Japan tsunami, veteran issues, Stockholm syndrome, therapist burnout, and the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach for trauma survivors.
Treating Special Clients in Psychotherapy
In the film, The King’s Speech, George VI seeks treatment for his stammer from a maverick Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, played brilliantly by Geoffrey Rush. “My patch, my rules,” is what Logue tells the King when he insists on being given special treatment. He is, after all, the King of England, used to deference and privilege. Logue accords him neither, treating him just like any other client. Or so we are led to believe. As a therapist I applaud…
The Gossamer Thread: My Life as a Psychotherapist
Using three different case studies with clients, a British therapist describes his personal journey from his early career as a behavioral psychologist, to his later years, where he embraced a more intuitive and reflective psychodynamic approach.