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Putting Psyche Back Into Psychotherapy

Finding the spiritual treasure in our everyday emotions

Ethics and Morality
Are You Humble or a Sucker?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on May 2, 2024

We’re all told how we’re supposed to be humble. Does that mean we’re never supposed to speak up? How are we supposed to translate this value into our everyday lives?

We’re all told how we’re supposed to be humble. Does that mean we’re never supposed to speak up? How are we supposed to translate this value into our everyday lives?

Relationships
The Gift of Confrontation

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on February 1, 2024

Sometimes the greatest act of friendship can be telling someone a hard truth. How can you do this in a way that preserves a relationship, rather than damaging it?

Sometimes the greatest act of friendship can be telling someone a hard truth. How can you do this in a way that preserves a relationship, rather than damaging it?

Emotional Intelligence
The Agony and Ecstasy of Victimhood

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on January 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: While there is such a thing as true victimhood, most of us need to move on and take responsibility for our lives. Here are some ways you can do that.

Personal Perspective: While there is such a thing as true victimhood, most of us need to move on and take responsibility for our lives. Here are some ways you can do that.

Aging
Aging Men and the Male Freakout

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on September 8, 2023

Men threatened with losing control may respond by trying to exert greater control. Getting comfortable with less control holds more promise and power and is a gift of aging.

Men threatened with losing control may respond by trying to exert greater control. Getting comfortable with less control holds more promise and power and is a gift of aging.

Grief
The Grief of Growing Older

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

Personal Perspective: Most of us of a certain age are waking up to the reality that we’re going to die.

Personal Perspective: Most of us of a certain age are waking up to the reality that we’re going to die.

Relationships
Why Some People Keep Pushing Their Partner's Buttons

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on May 12, 2023

Triggers in a relationship are opportunities for growth. A failure to understand why you get triggered in your relationship will only lead to the feeling getting stronger.

Triggers in a relationship are opportunities for growth. A failure to understand why you get triggered in your relationship will only lead to the feeling getting stronger.

Child Development
Are You a “Because” Person?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

“I can’t do that because….” Is a frequent statement we make, just before we give up on some important part of ourselves. Shrinking ourselves in this way is a recipe for misery.

“I can’t do that because….” Is a frequent statement we make, just before we give up on some important part of ourselves. Shrinking ourselves in this way is a recipe for misery.

Marriage
Natural Monogamy: Does It Exist?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Do you struggle with staying monogamous? Are you with a partner who pushes boundaries in a way you’re not comfortable with? Congrats—you’re married.

Do you struggle with staying monogamous? Are you with a partner who pushes boundaries in a way you’re not comfortable with? Congrats—you’re married.

Career
Aging Men Speak Out About Avoiding Irrelevance

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

A recent series on how men can maintain relevance as they age has sparked a number of suggestions from readers who are aging men themselves. Learn from their hard-won wisdom.

A recent series on how men can maintain relevance as they age has sparked a number of suggestions from readers who are aging men themselves. Learn from their hard-won wisdom.

Therapy
How Men Can Find New Purpose as They Age

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on January 18, 2023

Older men want to know how to connect to their inner world as their outer world loses its importance. The best answer I have: Get therapy.

Older men want to know how to connect to their inner world as their outer world loses its importance. The best answer I have: Get therapy.

Career
Aging Men and Irrelevance

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on January 8, 2023

Personal Perspective: Men may need more awareness of their inner world as they age. The inner world is the “final frontier.”

Personal Perspective: Men may need more awareness of their inner world as they age. The inner world is the “final frontier.”

Marriage
Why Every Marriage Is a Bait and Switch

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on December 9, 2022

Every marriage is a bait and switch. When you open yourself to the meaning of the changes in your partner, you will learn to celebrate them rather than complain about them.

Every marriage is a bait and switch. When you open yourself to the meaning of the changes in your partner, you will learn to celebrate them rather than complain about them.

Media
Why Do We Like Being “Liked”?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

A Personal Perspective: The social media ecosystem can give rapid rewards and cause problems quickly. Knowing who you are is essential to navigating it.

A Personal Perspective: The social media ecosystem can give rapid rewards and cause problems quickly. Knowing who you are is essential to navigating it.

Marriage
The Hard Realities of Long-Term Marriage

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on September 8, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Living with another person long-term is hard: the annoying habits, the repeated stories, the sameness day after day. How will you make it to the finish line, sanity intact?

A Personal Perspective: Living with another person long-term is hard: the annoying habits, the repeated stories, the sameness day after day. How will you make it to the finish line, sanity intact?

Diet
How a Relationship Is Like Dieting

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on July 1, 2022

Keeping your relationship healthy requires ongoing work, just like keeping weight off. Most couples need to learn how to shed their bad relational habits and how to keep them off.

Keeping your relationship healthy requires ongoing work, just like keeping weight off. Most couples need to learn how to shed their bad relational habits and how to keep them off.

Anger
Conflict: What an Opportunity

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on June 2, 2022

How can your repeated fights with your partner be the source of growth rather than an exercise in misery? By learning where it really comes from and being willing to talk about it.

How can your repeated fights with your partner be the source of growth rather than an exercise in misery? By learning where it really comes from and being willing to talk about it.