Donald Trump instigated the assault last week on the U.S. Capitol. Yet he’s now on the way out of office and no longer a prime worry. More pressing is the need to understand and address the convoluted inner life of the members of his mob. Understanding is vital because traces of … [Read more...] about Understanding the Assault on the U.S. Capitol
The Sheepishness of the Psyche: A One-Act Play
With this short play, I’m spoofing the practice of psychotherapy. This playful piece of writing serves as a holiday respite from my usual serious content. The old version of this post, published in 2017, is here. This revised version has a new character, a sheepdog named … [Read more...] about The Sheepishness of the Psyche: A One-Act Play
Three Self-Defeating Reactions at the Heart of American Disunity
One of president-elect Joe Biden’s priorities is to bring peace to the nation’s warring camps. The task will be easier as more of us begin to understand the deeper psychological dynamics that undermine unity and civility. When bitterly at odds, we’re usually under the … [Read more...] about Three Self-Defeating Reactions at the Heart of American Disunity
Answers to Questions from Readers (Part 8)
Readers often send me emails with their comments and questions concerning different aspects of depth psychology, inner conflict, and the process of psychotherapy. Here I answer six of them, mostly related to inner passivity. I’ve done some light editing of the questions, and my … [Read more...] about Answers to Questions from Readers (Part 8)
Our Compulsion to Self-Punish
For many of us, a steady stream of emotional self-punishment can feel as natural as breathing. The process of punishing oneself can operate so subtly that people don’t detect its pernicious nature. This is not a discussion of physical self-injury or self-harm such as skin … [Read more...] about Our Compulsion to Self-Punish