Free-Range Psychology

Why flexibility and therapeutic range are the future of practice

Shauna H Springer Ph.D.

The Human Toll of Trauma for Law Enforcement Officers

The human impact of trauma among law enforcement officers is an untold story that deserves respectful recognition.

Polyvagal Theory: How Your Nervous System Works

In reaction to circumstances, the autonomic nervous system, dominated by the vagus nerve, changes our state of being, much like surrounding conditions change the state of water.

Two Types of Providers: "Doctors" and "Docs"

Given the emotional trauma of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, veterans are suffering. To help them heal, it’s critical to understand how to become trusted “Docs.”

The Psychological Impact of the Surge in Mass Shootings

The psychological impact of mass violence simulates the trauma impact of domestic terrorism, though there's no known link between these acts of violence. This article explains why.

Documentary Explores a Range of New Treatments for PTSD

A new documentary explores innovative treatments for PTSD.

The Most Promising PTSD Treatment You've Never Heard Of

For too long, we've tried treating patients while they are in the wrong mind state. This intervention can reduce anxiety and accelerate talk therapy.

Firearms and Suicide Risk: A Loaded Conversation

Could our current approach to conversations about firearms and suicide risk be the reason why patients drop out of care, never to return to therapy?

5 Common Myths About PTSD

PTSD comes with a set of stigmas that can themselves be dangerous, as they cause sufferers to keep quiet and avoid getting help.

Lessons Learned From a Patient Suicide Attempt

After an attempted suicide by a patient, good clinicians often grapple with a range of difficult emotions and mentally anguishing questions.

How to Support Those Who Protect Us

We love our nation's warriors, but do we really understand them? Many people think that combat trauma should be our focus. Yet combat deployment is not associated with suicide.

SOS From the ICU: Why Are Some Americans Not Practicing Social Distancing?

Why are some people not engaging in social distancing—and what can we do about it?

How Is America's "Coping" Muscle?

How are those in less fortunate countries who face stress every day coping with COVID-19? Does experience with past stress "inoculate" us or increase the impact of further trauma?

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19

The threat of COVID-19 has suddenly rewritten the unwritten rules that we live by. Yet operating in defense mode may lead to second-order effects we must address now.

Can Taking Therapy Out of the Office Improve Outcomes?

Research on communication, gender, and disclosure can help us make conscious decisions about how we practice to create optimal therapeutic environments for those we serve.

Why Marines Make Exceptional Social Workers

Marines have not only been some of my best friends—they have been some of the most exceptional partners I’ve had on the front lines of this mental warfare we are facing.

The Psychological Impact of Digital Overload

A new book brings new insights.

New Promise for Treating Trauma

Within minutes of receiving a stellate ganglion block injection, several patients have said things like, “it's like having a thousand-pound weight lifted off my chest."

Taking Shame Out of the Suicide Conversation

For multiple reasons, promoting shame-based messages is ineffective as a strategy in preventing suicide.

Becoming Tearful in Session with a Patient

Ever become tearful during a session with a patient? What did you do? If you are like me, you tried hard to inhibit any tearfulness. But I don't do that anymore.

A Tactical Analysis of the War on Hopelessness

Developing and deploying a tactical analysis of the war on hopelessness has profoundly shifted my work with veterans and first responders.

Career Transitions for NFL Players and Combat Warfighters

In the career transitions of pro athletes and military veterans, the individual resilience factors targeted for interventions are not the dominant factors.

How Therapists Can Manage Their Own Anxiety

One thing that determines how much patients will open up is how much anxiety a therapist transmits to them.

The Aftermath of the Thousand Oaks Mass Shooting

In the wake of a tragedy like the Thousand Oaks mass shooting, fear rises up and distorts the truth. As someone who is close to many Marines, here is what I know to be true.

The Reason to Go On After Serving in the Military

After being asked by several warriors to comment on Britta Reque-Dragicevic’s article, “When You Can’t be a Warrior Anymore…Is There a Reason to Go On," this is what I think.

Suicide Risk Among Society's Emotional First Responders

Do pastors and others in ministry roles have some underappreciated suicide risk factors?

Is Suicide Selfish?

Those who survive suicide attempts often look back on their crisis with a different perspective.

The Power of Tribe

The power of Tribe works for veterans and civilians alike. When we reach a tipping point in understanding this, we will see changes in our rates of suicide.

Leaving an Entire Caseload of Patients

When therapists think about termination, they generally focus on minimizing the negative impact for patients. But what happens when you have to say goodbye to many of them at once?

Crack of Dawn Workouts

By getting up at 4:30 a.m., I have already made a powerful statement to myself that I am willing to work for what I want in a single-minded, extremely determined way.

Accountability With Physical Fitness Goals

If you do a review of what has worked for you in the past, what can you discover about how to set the stage for success with your goals?

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