Why cognitive dissonance between what we believe and what we say and do causes us to change our belief rather than our behavior. Read More

Think paranormal beliefs and religious beliefs don't mix? Think again! Read More

Oscar nominee The Help tackles racism and sexism and views motherhood, daughterhood and friendship along the lines of authenticity. Read More

Think it's hard to find a true friend? Multiply that complexity times two and try finding a couple with whom you and your partner can mesh pretty seamlessly. Read More

One of the great things about traveling, especially the kind of travel that takes you to far away places where people have customs, practices, beliefs and values that are different from your own, is that you get to see how different people can be in some ways and how similar we are in others Read More

Are you really "the captain of your ship, master of your soul?" Read More

Assigning a psychological diagnostic label to yourself or others can harm your emotional health. It can tarnish your relationships. At the same time, diagnostic clarity also can be a great benefit. Proceed with caution! Read More

Our lives don't need to be an endless cycle of road-rage and hurry infused with anger and frustration; it can be filled with wonder, gratitude and a sense of purpose based on our values and what is most important in our lives. Read More

The majority of people's problems are caused by the fact that they are disconnected with the rest of creation. (C.S. Lewis) We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. We made a decision to turn out will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Read More

Why the only way for me to keep my OCD on the back foot is to do exactly what it's telling me I mustn't. Read More

We need more African-American stories free of clowns, victims, and scapegoats. Read More

Dr. Andrew Weil wrote about "Marijuana Gateway to Health"— "This book should be required reading for all medical professionals, elected officials, and everyone interested in health and wellness." Read More

Early indications seemed to suggest that President Obama would be a conflict resolution president. During his campaign for office, he pledged to bring a new tone to Washington and to make every attempt to reach across the aisle. He engaged many new stakeholders through the internet and social media, promising to hear all their concerns and work tirelessly to address them. Read More

In the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, a married man struggles with the temptation to leave his wife and small child to run off with the young woman next door, played by Marilyn Monroe. The title of the film refers to a time in a marriage when—according to the U.S. Census Bureau—a divorce is most likely to happen. Read More

Nicotine changes the way genes are expressed, which may prime the brain for addiction. Read More

Thinking about creating your own brand? It's got to start somewhere. Here are six tips to get the ball rolling. Read More

To my ears, the current DSM-5 debate comes down to the question of who has the right to decide when an individual and a family have suffered enough Read More

Both quarterbacks obviously have superior ability to absorb information, process stimuli, and integrate information faster than most of us, and both are able to overrule their emotions under the gun—so which brain wins the trophy? Read More

It just happens. You don't think about it. You saw an opening and took a shot; you just had to get it out of your system. But you never considered the collateral damage. Read More

You know the conundrum of whether the color blue you see is the same as what I recognize as blue? That's one of those questions that all but philosophers have to take on faith. Read More

Over the last few years I've had the odd experience of seeing my work cited with approval by people whose views on the issue in question are diametrically opposed to my own. The issue I have in mind is praise. I'm troubled by it, as are the people who quote me, but for very different reasons. Read More

When you think about how rich you are, you should subtract what you owe from what you own. Is that what you actually do? Read More

Is there someone in your life who consistently makes you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster? Do you know a person who is friendly one day but sulks and withdraws the next? Chances are you may be interacting with a passive aggressive person. Read More

Chancer, a golden retriever, takes care of a youngster with severe cognitive disabilities. Chancer is one of many dogs who give hope to those who need it. The reciprocal bond, the life line, formed between humans and their canine companions is awe-inspiring and win-win for all. Bless all the dog beings and human beings who work in these wonderful programs. Read More

We have an allergy to calling anything in psychiatry normal, because we don't want to call things abnormal. Read More

Through a mutual friend, I e-met Agapi Stassinopoulos. She has a new book that's just hitting the bookstores, Unbinding the Heart. She grapples with the question of how we can "unbind our hearts" better to experience playfulness, connection, self-expression, and joy. Read More

Are men warriors by nature? A new evolutionary account may be wrong about the source of male violence. Read More

As you know, 74 people were killed this Wednesday when Egyptian soccer fans stampeded into a bottleneck after a 3-1 hometown upset win. While certainly tragic, it's far from irrational: it turns out the behavioral economics were stacked against them. Read More

Years ago, I was my wife's date to her high school reunion. Because we hadn't grown up together, everyone there was a stranger to me. On the other hand, my wife was eager to catch up with old friends. The room was a bustling scene: a band was playing music and groups of people were talking , laughing, and dancing. As I sat in the banquet hall, I decided to challenge myself. Read More

What really happens in psychotherapy? The answer to that question is complex. And depends in part on the type of psychotherapy one seeks. But one thing psychotherapy can convey to patients are certain essential secrets to living a more rich, meaningful, creative, balanced life. What are some of these secrets? Here, in Part Three of this series, are seven more. Read More