ExperiMentations

Attention

Making Effective Choices in the Timeless Present Moment

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 29, 2023

Thinking of change only on a linear timeline restricts our imagination and freedom, taking us out of the present moment—where we really exert influence, where the action is.

Thinking of change only on a linear timeline restricts our imagination and freedom, taking us out of the present moment—where we really exert influence, where the action is.

Resilience

24 Evidence-Based Ways to Train and Track Resilience

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on November 4, 2023

Resilience has emerged as key to health and recovery from traumatic experiences. Here are 24 specific actions for cultivating resilience.

Resilience has emerged as key to health and recovery from traumatic experiences. Here are 24 specific actions for cultivating resilience.

Trauma

On the Ground After October 7

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on October 25, 2023

An interview with an Israeli-American in Tel Aviv working to make sense of events and remain positive and constructive.

An interview with an Israeli-American in Tel Aviv working to make sense of events and remain positive and constructive.

Trauma

12 Ways Trauma Impairs Organizational Health and Function

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on October 16, 2023

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it... but how exactly does that happen? Identifying hot spots opens up possibilities for adaptive and flexible change.

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it... but how exactly does that happen? Identifying hot spots opens up possibilities for adaptive and flexible change.

Trauma

6 Ways Unresolved Trauma Covertly Shapes Relationships

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on October 3, 2023

We know trauma may be there, but how do we know how it's affecting us?

We know trauma may be there, but how do we know how it's affecting us?

Media

5 Lessons from Planning a Mental Health Film Festival

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on September 19, 2023

Cinema has a unique power to shed light on personal struggles and heighten empathy and awareness.

Cinema has a unique power to shed light on personal struggles and heighten empathy and awareness.

Dark Triad

Dark Participation: How Dark Personalities Behave

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on September 5, 2023

"Dark participation," its relationship to the dark triad, and important implications for our present and future.

"Dark participation," its relationship to the dark triad, and important implications for our present and future.

Therapy

23 Things That Define Mental Health

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on August 14, 2023

Psychodynamic psychotherapy measures outcome of treatment by performance on 23 factors defining mental health.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy measures outcome of treatment by performance on 23 factors defining mental health.

Spirituality

The Trouble With "Manifesting"

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on July 18, 2023

Manifesting becomes more popular with each passing day, but the reality behind the glam betrays a less alluring situation.

Manifesting becomes more popular with each passing day, but the reality behind the glam betrays a less alluring situation.

Gaslighting

The Anatomy of Gaslighting

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on May 21, 2023

A new study of gaslighting identifies key gaslighting dynamics, perpetrator motives, and impact on survivors.

A new study of gaslighting identifies key gaslighting dynamics, perpetrator motives, and impact on survivors.

Family Dynamics

For Siblings of the Medically Complex and Disabled

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on May 8, 2023

People who grow up with disabled siblings can be considered survivors who have have a special set of emotional needs.

People who grow up with disabled siblings can be considered survivors who have have a special set of emotional needs.

Friends

7 Ways People End Friendships

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on April 17, 2023

Research on how people end friendships identifies seven major strategies and 43 specific actions taken, shaped by personality, age, and gender.

Research on how people end friendships identifies seven major strategies and 43 specific actions taken, shaped by personality, age, and gender.

Therapy

The Ethical Use of Social Media in Mental Health

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 13, 2023

Social media is a powerful platform to advance mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access. However, clinician-influencers and the public need to weigh the risks.

Social media is a powerful platform to advance mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access. However, clinician-influencers and the public need to weigh the risks.

Personality

There May Be 3 Types of Borderline Personality Disorder

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 5, 2023

Identifying sub-types of clinical conditions helps patients, their families, and clinicians identify core features to guide treatment planning.

Identifying sub-types of clinical conditions helps patients, their families, and clinicians identify core features to guide treatment planning.

Wisdom

How to Feel, Think, and Act Wisely

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 20, 2023

Researchers develop an integrated wisdom model, complete with algorithms for wise behavior, based on a review of the existing literature.

Researchers develop an integrated wisdom model, complete with algorithms for wise behavior, based on a review of the existing literature.

Happiness

3 Pillars of a Happy Life

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 19, 2023

A systematic review of happiness research identifies three key elements—health, hope, and harmony—distilled into an integrated model of the determinants of happiness.

A systematic review of happiness research identifies three key elements—health, hope, and harmony—distilled into an integrated model of the determinants of happiness.

Sex

Considering Sex Therapy? How You See It Makes All the Difference

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 15, 2023

Research reveals people's attitudes about sex therapy, identifies barriers to treatment, and opens pathways to care.

Research reveals people's attitudes about sex therapy, identifies barriers to treatment, and opens pathways to care.

Bias

The Impact of Racism on the Developing Brain

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on February 6, 2023

New research on structural brain imaging and race-related adversity identifies key brain regions affected specifically by racial adversity.

New research on structural brain imaging and race-related adversity identifies key brain regions affected specifically by racial adversity.

Embarrassment

Relieving the Shame of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 30, 2023

Narrative research reveals that sharing childhood sexual abuse often servies as a pivotal moment in recovery.

Narrative research reveals that sharing childhood sexual abuse often servies as a pivotal moment in recovery.

Intelligence

How Do Gifted Adolescents See Themselves?

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on January 17, 2023

How gifted adolescents view themselves is critical for understanding how to best support their development to ensure future happiness and productivity.

How gifted adolescents view themselves is critical for understanding how to best support their development to ensure future happiness and productivity.