Off the Couch

Thoughts about the therapeutic process, and the dynamics of client-therapist interactions.

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W.

What You Can Do When Someone You Love Stops Loving You

What can you do when all the loving feelings you have for someone are rejected?

6 Elements to Consider if You Want to Win an Argument

We live in a world in which winning and losing have become all-important. What does it mean to win? And what can aid you in making the best argument?

Do You Suffer From Maladaptive Daydreaming?

Daydreams can be healthy, but there can also be a dark side. Here's what to do when your daydreams become maladaptive.

What to Do When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed? Shifting your perspective can make a difference.

What Can You Do When You’re Having Trouble Moving On?

How do you know when to stay or leave your job, relationship, home, or another important part of your life? Some psychological considerations can help you decide.

What to Do When a Partner Stops Communicating

When your partner stops talking to you, it might mean they're struggling with intimacy issues. Two important techniques can help.

How Your Personal Stories Motivate You, Give You Hope, and Keep You Stuck

The more you know about your personal stories, the better for your mental health.

The Need to Socialize Is Healthy, but How Can We Do It Safely?

How do you weigh the need for the joy of freely being with others against the need to protect yourself and your loved ones? Finding a balance isn't easy, but it may be possible.

Why Second-Guessing Yourself Might Not Be All Bad

If you often second-guess your decisions, you may feel like you have a serious problem. But a different perspective can help you put those doubts to good use.

What to Do When You Just Can't Get Started

Are you having trouble getting started on something you want to do? The stories you're telling yourself might hold the keys to your motivation.

Why Taking Honest Responsibility Can Make You Happy

Taking responsibility for our actions is often difficult, but when we learn to do it honestly, we frequently feel better about ourselves, our loved ones, and our colleagues.

What Is the Difference Between Guilt and Shame?

Guilt and shame are often confused, but there are important differences in the two emotions. What's also important is that guilt can help you overcome shame.

Is Someone Trying to Make You Feel Guilty?

It's hard not to feel guilty, or angry, or both when someone guilt-trips you. A small shift in attitude can make a big difference.

Do You Sometimes Feel Like a Fraud?

What can you do if you suffer from feeling like an imposter?

After the Celebration: What Do You Do With Post-Event Blues?

It's not unusual to feel let down, disappointed, and irritable after a celebration, no matter how well it went. But how do you overcome the day after blues?

Stay or Leave: How Do You Know What to Do?

It's hard to know when to stay and when to leave. But you've already got some tools that can help you decide.

How to Have Family Gatherings with Less Stress and More Joy

Many families are making plans to spend time together this fall and winter. Old stressors may erupt. Here are some ways you can make any gathering more joyful.

Can Dissociation Lead to Depression?

Learning to make room for dissociated thoughts and feelings can help you manage unpleasant life circumstances and emotions.

Escaping the Blame Game

People who blame themselves, or someone else, when things go wrong may unintentionally make their circumstances more difficult.

What Stops You From Tapping Into Your Inner Strength?

So you make mistakes. Maybe a lot. But do you also do things well? Can you pay attention to both sides of that picture?

7 Highly Effective Ways to Manage Separation Anxiety

The level of anxiety and/or discomfort about separation has escalated during the pandemic. 

7 Ways to Stop Relationship OCD From Ruining Your Love Life

ROCD related thoughts and worries will affect your love life, but they could also be hurting your self-esteem, mood, and even the ability to function at work.

Can Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder Love You?

Do you love someone with borderline personality disorder? There is a possibility of a loving relationship as long as you keep some specific things in mind.

Why Are You Sad and Irritable? It Could Be Ambiguous Loss

If you're sad, angry, frustrated, or feeling empty, you might be suffering from "ambiguous loss" or "frozen grief." Here's what can be done about it.

Are You a Secret "True Crime" Fan? You Aren't Alone

Are you a secret true crime devotee? You aren't alone. True crime has become increasingly popular in recent years. But is it harmful or helpful to its viewers?

5 Ways to Get Motivated and Stay Focused During Re-entry

Having trouble getting motivated or staying focused post-pandemic? You're not alone. Five psychology-based modifications can make a big difference.

Pandemic Lessons from Introverts Can Help Everyone

Lessons learned by introverted people during the pandemic can help you manage the stresses of the post-pandemic world — whether or not you consider yourself to be an introvert.

How Do You Know if You Can Really Trust Someone?

Relationships affect our happiness and trust is basic to relationships. But trust is complicated. How do you choose who to trust?

11 Ways to Function Better When You're Stressed

Feeling anxious, irritable, and unhappy? Research shows that self-soothing can improve your mood and your functioning at home and at work.

It's Hard to Admit Mistakes: Here's Why You Should Anyway

Mistakes are part of life. Research explains why it's important to acknowledge them. Seven rules tell you how.

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