Verified by Psychology Today

The Human Experience

Creating a more meaningful life

Anxiety
Death Anxiety and the Coronavirus

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on May 14, 2020

The coronavirus has increased death fears, but people’s individual reactions are compounded by their original death anxiety.

The coronavirus has increased death fears, but people’s individual reactions are compounded by their original death anxiety.

Bias
The Origin of Polarization, Prejudice, and Warfare

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on March 27, 2019

Unless we understand the nature of the defense mechanisms that play a part in intolerance and hostility, the human race will be threatened by extinction.

Unless we understand the nature of the defense mechanisms that play a part in intolerance and hostility, the human race will be threatened by extinction.

Fantasies
An Overview of Separation Theory

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on January 24, 2019

Early interpersonal pain, separation anxiety, and later death anxiety lead to the development of powerful psychological defenses.

Early interpersonal pain, separation anxiety, and later death anxiety lead to the development of powerful psychological defenses.

Anger
Insight into the Violent Mind

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on January 7, 2019

The key to understanding violence lies in identifying and verbalizing the destructive thoughts that drive acts of criminal and social violence.

The key to understanding violence lies in identifying and verbalizing the destructive thoughts that drive acts of criminal and social violence.

Relationships
Assault on the Self

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on December 3, 2018

A look at six major influences that impinge upon the evolving self, contribute to psychological distress, and interfere with differentiation and individuation

A look at six major influences that impinge upon the evolving self, contribute to psychological distress, and interfere with differentiation and individuation

Anxiety
Societal Defenses Against Death Anxiety

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on June 1, 2018

The sense of being merged with a particular group can provide partial relief from existential fears. It can lead to also hostility toward different belief systems.

The sense of being merged with a particular group can provide partial relief from existential fears. It can lead to also hostility toward different belief systems.

Anxiety
Death Anxiety

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on May 18, 2018

People repress the full realization of death and dying and develop various defenses to keep the suppressed material at bay.

People repress the full realization of death and dying and develop various defenses to keep the suppressed material at bay.

Relationships
Human Rights Violations in Personal Relationships

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on May 4, 2018

Some couples or families tend to exert excessive control over their members by imposing attitudes and regulations that favor obligation over choice and image over self-expression.

Some couples or families tend to exert excessive control over their members by imposing attitudes and regulations that favor obligation over choice and image over self-expression.

Fantasies
The Fantasy Bond in Couple Relationships

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on April 17, 2018

Many people have a fear of intimacy and at the same time they are terrified of being alone. Their solution is to form a fantasy bond with one another.

Many people have a fear of intimacy and at the same time they are terrified of being alone. Their solution is to form a fantasy bond with one another.

Anger
Voice Therapy

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on April 4, 2018

A five-step cognitive/affective/behavioral approach to challenging the destructive inner voice.

A five-step cognitive/affective/behavioral approach to challenging the destructive inner voice.

Identity
The Voice (The Enemy Within)

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on March 14, 2018

In a very real sense, what we are telling ourselves about events and experiences in our lives is more damaging and contributes to more misery than the events themselves.

In a very real sense, what we are telling ourselves about events and experiences in our lives is more damaging and contributes to more misery than the events themselves.

Fantasies
The Fantasy Bond or Primary Defense

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on March 9, 2018

A fantasy bond forms in childhood to fill a gap where there is environmental deprivation.Ultimately, it becomes a motivating force behind self-limiting, self-destructive behavior.

A fantasy bond forms in childhood to fill a gap where there is environmental deprivation.Ultimately, it becomes a motivating force behind self-limiting, self-destructive behavior.

Trauma
The Paradox of Psychological Defenses

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on February 1, 2018

To the extent you are defended, you are cut off from being able to experience genuine feeling—the good, the bad and the ugly.

To the extent you are defended, you are cut off from being able to experience genuine feeling—the good, the bad and the ugly.

Anxiety
You Don’t Really Want to Get Better

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on January 4, 2018

Of course psychotherapy clients want relief from their symptoms. Yet, they are reluctant to change the defenses that would allow them to overcome their psychological maladies.

Of course psychotherapy clients want relief from their symptoms. Yet, they are reluctant to change the defenses that would allow them to overcome their psychological maladies.

Relationships
A Psychological Perspective on Human Destructiveness

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on December 6, 2017

Exploring the source of unethical, harmful behaviors and how they are manifested in personal relationships between men, women, couples, and families, and in the social arena.

Exploring the source of unethical, harmful behaviors and how they are manifested in personal relationships between men, women, couples, and families, and in the social arena.

Health
Mental Health Principles from the Wisdom of Psychotherapy

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on August 17, 2017

In thinking about a value system based on psychotherapeutic principles, I began to consider some guidelines that might be of value for achieving a freer, more satisfying existence.

In thinking about a value system based on psychotherapeutic principles, I began to consider some guidelines that might be of value for achieving a freer, more satisfying existence.

Anxiety
Separation Theory

Robert W. Firestone Ph.D. on August 16, 2017

Early interpersonal pain, separation anxiety, and death anxiety lead to the formation of powerful psychological defenses that limit a person’s capacity for living and feeling.

Early interpersonal pain, separation anxiety, and death anxiety lead to the formation of powerful psychological defenses that limit a person’s capacity for living and feeling.