The Shrink Tank

Psychotherapy in practice, research, and pop culture.

Jared DeFife, Ph.D. is a clinical psychology research scientist at Emory University and Associate Director of the Laboratory of Personality and Psychopathology. See full bio

February 14, 2009

Those ideas go back further than you think... neglecting the heritage of psychoanalytic theories

Stepping aside from the style of my usual postings, this post is a sort of slap-dash academic reaction to a statement in "Love Sick on Valentine's Day? You Already Have the Cure".

It's a great post about how we come equipped with implicit processes for managing affect. I wanted to supplement it by noting some neglected historical antecedents.

February 12, 2009

Want a Sure-Fire Way to Score a Valentine's Date? Spray on Some Axe

It's called the Axe effect. Is it true that a simple deodorant spray is enough to turn a dud into a super stud? Read More

February 12, 2009

Practicing Psychotherapy: My Response to the Seven Questions

Ryan Howes has done a wonderful job of putting together the Seven Questions project, a collection of responses to seven questions about psychotherapy posed to numerous practitioners in the field. His stated goal for the project has been "to illuminate the various clinical approaches to psychotherapy". As Ryan has frequently encouraged others to respond to the Seven Questions in their own blogs, and since I'm here to write about psychotherapy, I wanted to take a shot. Read More

February 7, 2009

Best Super Bowl Commercial? Try Looking It Up In Your Gut

How do we know if advertising is effective? Do monkeys get you hyped up about motor oil or do leaping lizards make you thirsty for a sports drink? To find out if an ad works, we can ask people what they think with their heads, or we can measure what they know with their hearts (and sweat glands, and muscles, and lungs).

Plus, a list of this year's Top 5 most emotionally appealing ads. Read More

December 30, 2008

Treating depression: Many major brands of psychotherapy are equally effective

It's 2am. You're having trouble sleeping. Again. You've cried nearly every day for the past two weeks, have stopped talking to your friends, and your favorite activities just don't provide the same enjoyment they used to. You've decided that it's time to get help. You'd like to talk to someone, to get therapy, but what kind?

A new major study has been published in the most recent issue of The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, a publication of the American Psychological Association (APA), suggesting that many major brands of psychotherapy are equally effective for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression in adults. Read More

December 27, 2008

The 12 pounds of Christmas: Bouncing back from holiday weight gain

Did you pledge to lose weight in '08, but find yourself packing on a few extra pounds this holiday season? Here are a few ways to get back in line for '09. Read More

November 21, 2008

Dial T for Therapy: Treating depression over the telephone

Feeling blue? Save up your cell phone minutes because help may just be a phone call away. This Wednesday, Professor Yukata Ohno of Keio University launched a Japanese psychotherapy service that can be accessed from the comforts of...a mobile phone. No couch required. Hey Doc, can you hear me now? Read More

November 19, 2008

Is that a blue shirt you're wearing, Doc, or are you just happy to see a Democrat? Values and voting choices in psychotherapy.

At the election polling place, you need to check your political paraphernalia at the door. No Obama buttons. No McCain magnets. What about in the therapy office?

Engaging people in a discussion of their values is a central part of the therapeutic endeavor. As therapists, we balance a fine line between asserting our own values and accepting the values of our patients.

November 6, 2008

Psychology Blogs and Politics: Strange Bedfellows?

These blogs are supposed to be for Psychology Today, right? You know...meant for talking about psychology stuff? So, as Jerry Seinfeld might say, "what's the deal with all this election talk?" What does psychology have to do with politics? Everything. Read More

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