We usually think that all stress is bad, but that is actually not true!

This is the most listened-to Psych with Mike that Brett and I did. The episode is all about Transactional Analysis. When reviewing the numbers it was not even close. Enjoy!

This was the first Psych with Mike that Brett and I ever did. The audio is horrible and there was no video but the conversation was great!

With Brett no longer on the show, I am looking for the path forward for the show!   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acceptance   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202108/how-practice-acceptance   https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-closure-in-a-relationship-5224411   https://theconversation.com/the-psychology-of-closure-and-why-some-need-it-more-than-others-104159   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closure    

It is often very difficult to say goodbye. Whether the result of life passing, ending a relationship, or, moving far away, there is a period of our lives that are ending. On the other hand, there is a new period of life that is beginning. As for my friend, Brett Newcomb, I will forever be grateful for the contributions he made to the show and for being my friend!  https://www.apa.org/pubs/highlights/spotlight/issue-135 

You make the decision to go to therapy. Good on you! Now make sure you are ready to make it a useful and rewarding experience! https://psychcentral.com/lib/therapists-spill-tips-for-making-the-most-of-therapy   https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-talk-about-in-therapy  

This is a revisit of one of the most downloaded episodes of Psych with Mike. This is a topic close to my heart since I believe that emotional regulation is the central issue is all psychotherapy. 

The Surgeon General of the US recently released a report on loneliness. In it, the physiological effects of loneliness were found to be equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. These kinds of physiological findings just affirm what all of us already know, loneliness hurts! It hurts us both psychologically and physically.  Surgeon General's Report ...

Many people find it harder to forgive themselves than they do to forgive others. We may feel like we do not deserve forgiveness or that if we forgive ourselves then we were never truly sorry for the behavior. Whatever the reason, when we do not forgive ourselves we remain in perpetual psychological bondage.    ...

What is nihilism and what does it have to do with psychology? Most of us have heard of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and some know that he is credited with promoting the ideas of nihilism. But how many actually know what nihilism is and how it plays a role in psychology? ...

Does our personality change and evolve over the lifespan? Or does personality remain consistent and static from adolescence?   https://psyche.co/ideas/theres-a-reason-some-of-us-find-it-easier-to-change-than-others?utm_source=Aeon+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8e4e0f2ec4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_03_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-b1f49aa884-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D  

The term "Brain Fog" has been around for a long time but has gained increased significance during the pandemic. What IS brain fog and can we do anything about it?    https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/31/neuroscientist-how-to-avoid-brain-fog.html  

Communication is the most basic way that humans connect. Good knowledgeable skills are the foundation of good interactions! https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/3-things-people-who-are-good-at-conversation-dont-do-according-to-a-research-psychologist.html  

Research is building an indisputable record of evidence supporting the belief that the experience of trauma changes the way the brain is wired. Trauma that is low-level over a long period of time (chronic) can be just as transformative as trauma that is intense and sudden (acute) https://www.sciencenews.org/article/trauma-distorts-time-self-new-therapy  

The introduction of concepts like "mindfulness" and "positive psychology" is only helpful if they can be defined. In science, this is called operational definition. Is Positive Psychology an actual theoretical orientation or just a new-wave fad?  https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-positive-psychology-2794902  

As long-time educators, Brett and I have always accepted the concept that different people learn in different ways. A recent article in Aeon magazine challenges this long-held belief.    https://aeon.co/essays/the-evidence-is-clear-learning-styles-theory-doesnt-work?utm_source=Aeon+Newsletter&utm_campaign=83087b53bc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_01_24_05_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-83087b53bc-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D 

Heinz Kohut and Self Psychology establish the foundational understanding of the development of emotional regulation. But perhaps his most impressive contribution to the field was his introduction of empathy into the therapy relationship.     https://www.selfpsychologypsychoanalysis.org/about.html 

Clients are often very curious about the private lives of their therapists. But therapists are educated to present themselves as a blank slate. The amount of self-disclosure that a therapist engages in therefore is a balance between what is most therapeutic for the client and the therapist's presentation as genuine and sincere.    ...

Breathwork is a core technique in counseling and psychotherapy. It has also been a central tenet of practices as old as Zen meditation. But what are the therapeutic and/or health benefits of breathwork?  https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/science-says-use-relaxing-breath-method-to-fall-asleep-faster-starting-tonight.html  

Otto Kernberg is one of the most influential theorists responsible for our understanding of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)!   https://www.verywellmind.com/borderline-personality-disorder-meaning-425191  

There is a whole vocabulary associated with recovery from alcohol and drugs. For those who are not in the program or do not work professionally with those in recovery, this can be very confusing. Brett recently was talking to a friend about what it means to be a dry drunk and found that even he had many questions.  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-to-know-dry-drunk-syndrome  

Ketamine is the only psychedelic substance that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression, so far. How does this drug help depression and will other psychedelics get approval in the future?  https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/12/ketamine-therapy-explained/  

The Enneagram is a personality classification system based on the work and theories of Carl Gustav Jung. 

In early 2023, Brett and I discuss 10 lessons from 2022. https://www.wellandgood.com/best-advice-from-therapists/