In Therapy

A User's Guide to Psychotherapy

Ryan Howes, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, writer, musician and professor at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, California. See full bio

October 30, 2008

Terminating Therapy, Part IV: How to Terminate

It's time to terminate the series on psychotherapy termination. This post gives clients practical steps to ensure a good ending. Read More

October 18, 2008

Terminating Therapy, Part III: The Not-Quite-Ideal Termination

Part I of this series covered the merits of the termination phase. Part II described the ideal circumstances for termination. But not all therapy reaches the final chapter. Today I'll look at some of the non-ideal reasons people leave therapy. Read More

October 10, 2008

Terminating Therapy, Part II: The Ideal Termination

Part I of my miniseries on termination covered the value of a good ending in therapy and reasons why both therapists and clients sometimes avoid it. Today I begin diving into the reasons why and when therapy should end. Read More

September 30, 2008

Terminating Therapy, Part I: What, Why, How?

"Termination" is clinical jargon for the last phase of therapy. It has its own fancy term and deserves three posts because it's that important. In fact, for some it's the most profoundly healing, meaningful and transformative phase of therapy. But many clients split before they're able to reap the benefits of a good termination. Read More

September 15, 2008

Can We Talk About Disability?

We here at PT have some fine blogs on health, integrative medicine and pain, but nothing addressing physical disability in general. With 12% to 20% of the population qualifying as disabled I think the subject is worth a few posts. I hope to kick start some dialogue by interviewing Dr. Galen Buckwalter: scientist, punk vocalist, quadriplegic and star of the PBS documentary Rolling. Read More

September 2, 2008

The Last Minute Bomb in Therapy

With only one minute remaining, the client discloses something huge. How to understand, manage and prevent Last Minute Bombs (LMBs). Read More

August 7, 2008

Is Psychotherapy Dying?

A recent AP article suggests psychotherapy is on its way out. I'll debunk that notion and give you five reasons why I believe it'll be around a while. Read More

July 29, 2008

Confidence Shaken: Therapy, Confidentiality and Earthquakes

July 29th at 11:42am Pacific Time, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California. This being L.A., there were probably 1000+ people in therapy sessions who were shaken out of their chair. What thoughts raced through therapist's minds? Read More

July 17, 2008

Say Anything

Therapy is one place you can talk about anything you want. There's no need to censor yourself, be overly polite or avoid conflict. Still, many clients have a lot to say and don't. Why? Read More

July 5, 2008

Shouldn’t psychotherapy make me feel good?

A common misunderstanding about therapy is that it's supposed to help us feel better each week. Many equate psychotherapy with the day spa where we enter with tension and leave feeling relaxed and refreshed. But we don't always feel better; sometimes we feel worse. Read More