Healing and Growing

Ethics and Morality

The Science of Argumentology

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on October 5, 2018

Understanding how some people—often men—pick the battlefield so as to win the argument, and what you can do to turn a pointless discussion into a real exchange.

Understanding how some people—often men—pick the battlefield so as to win the argument, and what you can do to turn a pointless discussion into a real exchange.

Empathy

The Number One Cause of Arguments and Fights

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on June 16, 2018

Empathy is your ally when it comes to resolving a conflict—but how do you make it happen?

Empathy is your ally when it comes to resolving a conflict—but how do you make it happen?

Motivation

Failure to Launch: The "Wheel of Motivation"

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on January 21, 2018

The wheel can turn either way, towards mainstream life or away from it. Each has consequences.

The wheel can turn either way, towards mainstream life or away from it. Each has consequences.

Motivation

Why Are Fathers So Angry at Sons?

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on January 3, 2018

Being a dad involves a lot of self-discipline. When sons show none, a father's unhelpful anger is only too natural.

Being a dad involves a lot of self-discipline. When sons show none, a father's unhelpful anger is only too natural.

Anxiety

The Real Reason Behind Teen Anxiety and Depression

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on October 16, 2017

The real reason for increased anxiety and depression among young people is deeper and bigger than is often recognized.

The real reason for increased anxiety and depression among young people is deeper and bigger than is often recognized.

Fantasies

Do Bad Feelings Serve a Purpose?

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on September 2, 2017

Life is full of bumps, but our emotions are what allow us to spread the pain over time and avoid more serious damage.

Life is full of bumps, but our emotions are what allow us to spread the pain over time and avoid more serious damage.

Resilience

Failure to Launch: What do we (mom & dad) do now?

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on February 8, 2017

Helen and Bill were at their wits end with their son, Josh, 22. What can parents do to help young people struggling with adult life?

Helen and Bill were at their wits end with their son, Josh, 22. What can parents do to help young people struggling with adult life?

Resilience

Failure to Launch Syndrome

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on November 30, 2016

There are many "causes," but one real reason stands out to explain today's epidemic of young adults who remain stuck in life.

There are many "causes," but one real reason stands out to explain today's epidemic of young adults who remain stuck in life.

Motivation

Launching Your Young Adult

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on September 26, 2016

When young adults get stuck, there is almost always one parent who has trouble setting limits while the other's love is too tough.

When young adults get stuck, there is almost always one parent who has trouble setting limits while the other's love is too tough.

Therapists need to be very careful to give clear signals about where the boundaries are, and what they can and cannot do.

Trust

Why Humans Have Problems

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on January 16, 2016

Of course we have problems. Of course our minds, evolved to guide us, often misguide us. Find out why and what to do about it.

Of course we have problems. Of course our minds, evolved to guide us, often misguide us. Find out why and what to do about it.

Career

Is Your Therapy Working as it Should?

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on November 18, 2015

Not all therapies produce the results you want. How good is yours?

Not all therapies produce the results you want. How good is yours?

Motivation

Motivating Yourself and Others

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on October 25, 2015

New insight into how motivation really works to energize our pursuit of goals.

New insight into how motivation really works to energize our pursuit of goals.

Relationships

Start a New Relationship the Right Way

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on September 22, 2015

When relationships don't work out, there were usually signs at the beginning. Here's how to recognize them.

When relationships don't work out, there were usually signs at the beginning. Here's how to recognize them.

Relationships

A Positive Template for Ending Marital Fights

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on August 9, 2015

When marital fighting is hard to stop, then a having a positive template can make it easier to stop the arguing.

When marital fighting is hard to stop, then a having a positive template can make it easier to stop the arguing.

Codependency

Codependency in Five Easy Lessons

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on July 29, 2015

Codependency can be confusing for people in a relationship with someone who has an addiction to alcohol, drugs or compulsive behaviors. Here is a simple way to understand what is going on and avoid the pitfalls.

Codependency can be confusing for people in a relationship with someone who has an addiction to alcohol, drugs or compulsive behaviors. Here is a simple way to understand what is going on and avoid the pitfalls.

Addiction

3 Kinds of Motivation for Addiction Recovery

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on July 15, 2015

How can you know you have left "no stone unturned" in trying to help someone you care about who suffers from addiction to alcohol, drugs or some destructive behavior?

How can you know you have left "no stone unturned" in trying to help someone you care about who suffers from addiction to alcohol, drugs or some destructive behavior?

Adolescence

Tips for Launching Your Young Adult

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on July 3, 2015

Six tips for parents of young adults who are stuck. Parents often have more power than they realize to help, and here is how.

Six tips for parents of young adults who are stuck. Parents often have more power than they realize to help, and here is how.

Addiction

Addiction: The Two Critical Questions

Jeffery S. Smith M.D. on February 15, 2015

Joan had to learn on her own. Here is how she tackled the two key questions she had to answer.

Joan had to learn on her own. Here is how she tackled the two key questions she had to answer.

To intervene on a family in conflict, we need to understand the mammalian brain and how to help members move from a state of defense to one of empathy and understanding. Here is how to recognize what is happening and intervene.