Ambivalence is one of our more perplexing psychological ailments. The source of this paradoxical mental-emotional state lies submerged in our psyche, almost as unfathomable as those bizarre deep-sea creatures that underwater cameras have discovered. Ambivalence is the … [Read more...] about Is Ambivalence a Hidden Factor in Much of Human Misery?
Inner Passivity
Inner Conflict is the Source of Cognitive Distortion
So much of human thinking is irrational. This kind of messed-up thinking, often referred to as cognitive distortion, perceives reality in ways that are misleading or flawed, if not completely wrong, false, or stupid. (Examples follow below and more are found … [Read more...] about Inner Conflict is the Source of Cognitive Distortion
A Technique for Overcoming Insomnia
If you’re plagued by insomnia or taking too long to fall asleep, you’ll find plenty of advice online. Yet a third of U.S. adults report not getting enough sleep, so that advice might not be helping much. I have a technique to offer the sleep-deprived, and it’s not one I’ve … [Read more...] about A Technique for Overcoming Insomnia
Notes to Psychotherapists on Addressing Inner Passivity
Earlier this month I received an email from a young psychotherapist, in practice for just a few years, who was struggling to understand how, despite his best efforts, a client of his had committed suicide. He wrote, in part: I recently experienced a therapist’s worst nightmare … [Read more...] about Notes to Psychotherapists on Addressing Inner Passivity
Another Visual Portrayal of Our Psyche’s Dynamics
Our body, mind, and psyche are fundamentals of our existence. Our body is visible to us and our mind is at our disposal. But our psyche tends to hide in the mist of our unconscious, like the hint of a person lurking in the background of a dream. When we don’t know basic … [Read more...] about Another Visual Portrayal of Our Psyche’s Dynamics