The Therapist Is In

Everything you need to know about psychotherapy.

Mark Sichel is a psychotherapist in New York City and the author of Healing from Family Rifts. See full bio

January 21, 2009

Do Wealthy Men Give Women More Orgasms?

According to the Times of London, wealthy men give women more orgasms. Wow, that's quite a generalization, even if it's supported by alleged scientific research. Read More

November 12, 2008

Virtue Therapy: Right Actions Create Right Feelings

The psychology profession has, for the most part, stayed away from using dialogue of people's virtues or morals as a therapeutic intervention. A commitment to virtuous behavior eliminates the futility and pain of blame and accusation, a chronic problem for people in relationships. Doing the right thing can shortcut endless discussions of an awful childhood, a partner with perceived faults, and the tyranny of the super-ego, the conscience. Read More

October 15, 2008

Music Soothes the Soul: Coping With Economic Crisis

World leaders are unveiling new economic plans daily as are both our presidential candidates. My economic plan: struggle, fight, persevere, get a perspective, stop feeling sorry for yourself, focus on gratitude and give something back to the world. Additionally, you can do what I did to cope with my own economic anxiety:I started a "Yikes, We're in a Recession." tape. You can do the same: listen to the music and rock and roll your way out of the economy collapse blues. Read More

October 1, 2008

Enough of the Blame Game: Can Psychologists Stop the Meltdown of the American Economy?

In a speech about the current state of affairs, President Bush blames Congress, especially the Democrats. In fact, in a recent speech, he uses the word blame twenty one times in less than three minutes. According to Federal Reserve Chairman Bem Bernanke it's matter for psychology. I agree. Scapegoating will not solve our current economic debacle. Psychologists know that personal accountability and cooperation between all concerned will help get us out of this crisis. Read More

September 19, 2008

Do YOU Live With an Injustice Collector?

There's something about Sarah Palin (seen here with some Barbarian friends) that's been bothering me. I realized she's an Injustice Collector. Her resentment at her ex-brother-in-law, Mike Wooten, loomed so large in her mind that it took precedence over governing the state of Alaska. Firing Walt Monegan, Alaska's Public Safety Commissioner, because he refused to fire Wooten, meted out the revenge she sought. In her capacity as Mayor Of Wasilla Alaska she also fired a top law enforcement official. Their crimes seem to be disloyalty and having a mind of their own. Read More

September 10, 2008

9/11: Never Forget, But Is It Always Helpful to Remember?

In an article in the London Times this week, journalist Catherine Bruton writes about what she calls 9/11 Fatigue. "The story is about the more than 3000 children who lost their parents in the 9/11 attacks." writes Bruton. "It’s just one small item in the media blitz that occurs around September 11th each year." In a web search done randomly for the last few days, I’ve discovered that one article about 9/11 is being produced every minute on the days preceding the anniversary. Read More

September 2, 2008

The Psychological Evolution of America: King's Dream and Today's Choices

When people talk about how they've changed while in therapy, greater tolerance is often cited among the benefits of treatment. Given America's current choices for nomination to the highest offices in the nation, it's evident that our nation has gone through a psychological evolution. Its as if we as a country have gone through a psychotherapeutic process and emotionally matured. Our tolerance and embracement of diversity has led us to become more virtuous as a group. Read More

August 13, 2008

Why Powerful Women are Sexy and Have the Happiest Marriages

Despite the popularity of books about men loving and marrying "bitches", it's really powerful and strong women that men love. We get turned on and not only want to bed powerful women, we want to spend the rest of our lives with them. Read More

July 30, 2008

From Pathological to Positive: A New Psychology for the Twenty First Century

These days when people come to my office, I'm not interested solely in rooting out their painful personal and familial issues. Building on their strengths, positives, and moral, ethical, and spiritual beliefs is much more helpful, I've found, in overcoming psychological and interpersonal problems. Read More

July 23, 2008

Holy Family Rift, Batman:

Batman star Christian Bale was arrested this week in London. He was charged with assault by his mother Louise and sister Sharon who told reporters "It's a family matter," and refused further comment. The family feud allegedly went from verbal assault to physical abuse on the eve of the film premiere of the new Batman film, Dark Knight. There’s now a plethora of controversy and commentary on the Internet about the veracity of these allegations, with frequent references to disputes over Bale’s fathers’ estate and money in general. Read More

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Psychotherapy is the practice of spending time with a psychological professional trained to help diagnose and treat mental and emotional problems.

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