Off the Couch

Relationships

What to Do When You're Caught in the Middle on Mother's Day

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on May 10, 2023

Women in the "sandwich generation" often feel ignored on Mother's Day. Here's how you can remedy the problem.

Women in the "sandwich generation" often feel ignored on Mother's Day. Here's how you can remedy the problem.

Therapy

Can Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Help Older Adults?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on May 7, 2023

Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy—also known as "talk therapy"—has been shown to be very helpful to older adults struggling with depression.

Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy—also known as "talk therapy"—has been shown to be very helpful to older adults struggling with depression.

Assertiveness

5 Ways to Set Healthy Limits

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 30, 2023

Boundaries are not always clear-cut or easy to figure out. Here are 5 ways to start setting healthy limits.

Boundaries are not always clear-cut or easy to figure out. Here are 5 ways to start setting healthy limits.

Friends

Making New Friends at Any Age Is Easier Than It Seems

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on April 9, 2023

Research shows that it's hard to make new friends as we get older. But understanding what makes it hard and shifting your perspective just a little can make it much easier.

Research shows that it's hard to make new friends as we get older. But understanding what makes it hard and shifting your perspective just a little can make it much easier.

Stress

6 Tips for Managing Stress When You Have to Keep Going

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on March 31, 2023

Stressed, overworked, exhausted? Suggestions to slow down, set boundaries, and cut back can feel like just more tasks and criticism to boot. Try these suggestions instead.

Stressed, overworked, exhausted? Suggestions to slow down, set boundaries, and cut back can feel like just more tasks and criticism to boot. Try these suggestions instead.

Jealousy

"I'm Not Jealous—I Just Hate You"

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on March 3, 2023

Jealousy is a complex emotion that most of us would happily never feel. But it often contains important information about us, our relationships, and our needs and wishes.

Jealousy is a complex emotion that most of us would happily never feel. But it often contains important information about us, our relationships, and our needs and wishes.

Perfectionism

How Can You Cope With Increasing Perfectionistic Demands?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on February 25, 2023

Perfectionism can lead to problems in self-esteem and productiveness. Practical imperfectionism can help you strive for perfection while embracing "good enough."

Perfectionism can lead to problems in self-esteem and productiveness. Practical imperfectionism can help you strive for perfection while embracing "good enough."

Depression

What Can You Do When Separation Makes You Sad?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on February 21, 2023

Separation sadness hurts, but it's an important emotional marker. Here are some healthy ways to cope with the feelings.

Separation sadness hurts, but it's an important emotional marker. Here are some healthy ways to cope with the feelings.

Relationships

I Wish My Mother Would Just Listen to Me Once in a While

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on February 4, 2023

It's hard when your parents can't give you what you need from them. But does it have to be the end of the relationship? Sometimes acknowledging their inability can open new doors.

It's hard when your parents can't give you what you need from them. But does it have to be the end of the relationship? Sometimes acknowledging their inability can open new doors.

Relationships

Why It's So Easy to Feel Like No One Understands Us

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 29, 2023

If someone whose opinion is important to you sees you as bad, you can end up feeling like you are bad. Some psychological understanding can help you change that pattern.

If someone whose opinion is important to you sees you as bad, you can end up feeling like you are bad. Some psychological understanding can help you change that pattern.

Self-Esteem

5 Ways to Recover From a Blow to Your Self-Esteem

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 8, 2023

When our self-esteem takes a blow, it can affect everything in our lives.

When our self-esteem takes a blow, it can affect everything in our lives.

Career

One Mistake to Avoid When You Go Back to Work

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on January 2, 2023

It can be hard to go back to work after a holiday or a vacation, regardless of whether the break was restful or stressful. Avoiding this one mistake can make it a lot easier.

It can be hard to go back to work after a holiday or a vacation, regardless of whether the break was restful or stressful. Avoiding this one mistake can make it a lot easier.

Grief

Are You Grieving? Want to Talk About It?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on December 28, 2022

Much has been written about grief and how to manage it, but less has been written about the role of shared feelings when it comes to grieving.

Much has been written about grief and how to manage it, but less has been written about the role of shared feelings when it comes to grieving.

Anxiety

"How Am I Doing?" Do You Really Want to Know?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on December 17, 2022

What does someone really want to know when they ask how you are? And what do you really want to tell them?

What does someone really want to know when they ask how you are? And what do you really want to tell them?

Career

Why Some People Think Everything Is Their Fault

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on November 27, 2022

Why do some people experience everything as their own fault, and some experience everything as someone else’s fault?

Why do some people experience everything as their own fault, and some experience everything as someone else’s fault?

Attention

How Do You Know When What You've Done Is Good Enough?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on November 14, 2022

We live in a world where appearance sometimes seems to be more important than experience. Paying more attention to your experiences can have a positive impact on your happiness.

We live in a world where appearance sometimes seems to be more important than experience. Paying more attention to your experiences can have a positive impact on your happiness.

Anxiety

How to Keep Uncertainty From Destroying Your Happiness

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 31, 2022

Uncertainty is often unpleasant, but a few small techniques can help you manage it better.

Uncertainty is often unpleasant, but a few small techniques can help you manage it better.

Relationships

How Romantic Nostalgia Can Improve Your Love Life

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 23, 2022

Research shows that remembering special times with your partner can improve your romantic relationship.

Research shows that remembering special times with your partner can improve your romantic relationship.

Sex

The Dark Secret Behind Jeffrey Dahmer's Sex Appeal

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 2, 2022

How can we understand the apparent appeal of serial murderers?

How can we understand the apparent appeal of serial murderers?

Aging

Are You Afraid of Getting Older?

F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on September 18, 2022

If you're afraid of getting older, you're not alone. Negative images of aging abound in media and cultural beliefs. A simple technique can help you manage your anxiety about aging.

If you're afraid of getting older, you're not alone. Negative images of aging abound in media and cultural beliefs. A simple technique can help you manage your anxiety about aging.