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Insight Therapy

Psychologically informed reflections on how we interact.

Burnout
Parental Burnout: When Parenting Becomes Too Much

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

Do you feel emotionally drained by your parental role? Do you sometimes feel you're parenting on autopilot? Do you feel unaccomplished and unfulfilled as a parent?

Do you feel emotionally drained by your parental role? Do you sometimes feel you're parenting on autopilot? Do you feel unaccomplished and unfulfilled as a parent?

Happiness
Are You Happier Now Than Last Year?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

To answer, you must compare how you felt then to your current state. But just how accurate are your memories of last year?

To answer, you must compare how you felt then to your current state. But just how accurate are your memories of last year?

Body Language
4 Major Myths About Body Language

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on June 1, 2023

Nonverbal communication is not a formal language. Emotions are not universal. Facial expressions don’t provide reliable clues of deception.

Nonverbal communication is not a formal language. Emotions are not universal. Facial expressions don’t provide reliable clues of deception.

Media
Face-To-Face Communication: Healthier Than Digital?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

In our digital age, digital interactions are supplanting face-to-face communications. As the prevalence of face-to-face interaction wanes, its unique benefits may also be lost.

In our digital age, digital interactions are supplanting face-to-face communications. As the prevalence of face-to-face interaction wanes, its unique benefits may also be lost.

Therapy
What’s Wrong With the Show "Shrinking"?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on February 9, 2023

On the face of it, the new Apple+ psychology-themed show Shrinking seems promising. Yet, as Freud noted, things are not what they seem.

On the face of it, the new Apple+ psychology-themed show Shrinking seems promising. Yet, as Freud noted, things are not what they seem.

Wisdom
Are Wise People Happier?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

We tend to believe that a life of wisdom is a better life. But what exactly is wisdom? And is it really a path to happiness?

We tend to believe that a life of wisdom is a better life. But what exactly is wisdom? And is it really a path to happiness?

Infidelity
Why Some Women Don't Feel So Bad About Cheating

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on December 9, 2022

Given the popular belief that men are more inclined than women toward infidelity, one may assume that they stand to benefit more from it. New research begs to differ.

Given the popular belief that men are more inclined than women toward infidelity, one may assume that they stand to benefit more from it. New research begs to differ.

Education
Failure Is Hard. Learning From It May Be Harder

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on October 11, 2022

It is intuitively appealing to assume that people will use their failure experiences as means toward finding success. Yet human behavior often defies simple intuition.

It is intuitively appealing to assume that people will use their failure experiences as means toward finding success. Yet human behavior often defies simple intuition.

Relationships
In Judging Others, Warmth Trumps Competence. But Should It?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on September 21, 2022

Social cognition research has shown that in appraising other individuals and groups, we consider two characteristics: warmth and competence. But the two do not hold equal value.

Social cognition research has shown that in appraising other individuals and groups, we consider two characteristics: warmth and competence. But the two do not hold equal value.

Therapy
The Most Important Question in Therapy

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on September 1, 2022

Psychological suffering often results from misguided attempts at avoiding distress and discomfort. Therefore, exploring avoidance habits may yield useful insight.

Psychological suffering often results from misguided attempts at avoiding distress and discomfort. Therefore, exploring avoidance habits may yield useful insight.