Feeling Our Way

Therapy

Accepting Our Most Shameful Secrets

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on March 6, 2026

Which traits of the therapist facilitate patients’ reluctant need to reveal themselves?

Which traits of the therapist facilitate patients’ reluctant need to reveal themselves?

Therapy

Therapy Is Supposed to Make You Happier

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on February 3, 2026

Therapy moves quickly from discussing symptoms and misery to discussing what gets in the way of happiness.

Therapy moves quickly from discussing symptoms and misery to discussing what gets in the way of happiness.

Artificial Intelligence

Does AI Undermine Clinical Supervision?

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on January 5, 2026

Personal Perspective: AI induces us to emphasize knowing over the pleasure of finding out.

Personal Perspective: AI induces us to emphasize knowing over the pleasure of finding out.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Why CBT Doesn’t Work Very Well

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on December 12, 2025

CBT makes so much sense on its surface that it seems worthwhile to explore why it doesn’t work so well in practice.

CBT makes so much sense on its surface that it seems worthwhile to explore why it doesn’t work so well in practice.

Persuasion

Why We Talk: Most Speech Influences Rather Than Informs

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on November 13, 2025

We might be so bad at objectivity because objectivity was never the purpose of speech.

We might be so bad at objectivity because objectivity was never the purpose of speech.

Depression

Reframing Depression: Not Mad, Not Bad, Just Old

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on October 1, 2025

Depression can be considered a form of unasked-for wisdom.

Depression can be considered a form of unasked-for wisdom.

Therapy

Should You Do Family Therapy or Individual Therapy?

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on September 7, 2025

Explore how the erosion of expertise influences therapy decisions.

Explore how the erosion of expertise influences therapy decisions.

Therapy

Many Therapy Clients Are (Metaphorically) Afraid of the Dark

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on August 7, 2025

Fear of encountering unexpected aspects of ourselves is analogous to a child's fear of the dark.

Fear of encountering unexpected aspects of ourselves is analogous to a child's fear of the dark.

Artificial Intelligence

A Behavioristic View of AI

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on June 23, 2025

AI gets things done while alienating us from our work, our friends, and ourselves.

AI gets things done while alienating us from our work, our friends, and ourselves.

Therapy

Can Therapy Make You Worse?

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on May 5, 2025

Loosening problematic patterns in psychotherapy is bound to cause distress.

Loosening problematic patterns in psychotherapy is bound to cause distress.

Self-Esteem

Genuine Self-Esteem Is Not Positive in Tone

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on March 17, 2025

The opposite of a negative self-concept is not positive; it’s neutral. Stop all that cheerleading.

The opposite of a negative self-concept is not positive; it’s neutral. Stop all that cheerleading.

Depression

Do You Use Your Yardsticks to Measure or to Whip?

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on February 18, 2025

Self-appraisal may worsen depression because the utility of self-appraisal depends on the attitude of the appraiser.

Self-appraisal may worsen depression because the utility of self-appraisal depends on the attitude of the appraiser.

Relationships

Stop Stereotyping Your Partner

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on January 20, 2025

Marriage is a hotbed of conflicts between character types, made worse by stereotyping one's partner.

Marriage is a hotbed of conflicts between character types, made worse by stereotyping one's partner.

Relationships

All Relationships Are Rebound Relationships

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on December 12, 2024

As you work toward your next relationship, find people who get you and not just the parts of yourself you’re proud of.

As you work toward your next relationship, find people who get you and not just the parts of yourself you’re proud of.

Therapy

"Save the Cat!" Does Therapy

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on November 1, 2024

Therapy rewrites the patient’s narrative about who they are, how the world works, and what the story is about.

Therapy rewrites the patient’s narrative about who they are, how the world works, and what the story is about.

Reaction Formation

Reaction Formation in Couples

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on October 1, 2024

Intimacy can be threatening and evokes defenses. The most blatant disguise is the mask that is the opposite of who we are.

Intimacy can be threatening and evokes defenses. The most blatant disguise is the mask that is the opposite of who we are.

Projection

Projective Identification in Couples

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on September 9, 2024

Couple’s therapists can help people face their fears instead of getting their partners to embody them.

Couple’s therapists can help people face their fears instead of getting their partners to embody them.

Grief

Thoughts on Children in Bereavement

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on August 1, 2024

A new children’s book helps to illuminate childhood grief.

A new children’s book helps to illuminate childhood grief.

Infidelity

Couple's Therapy After Infidelity

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on July 8, 2024

Sometimes, infidelity reveals rather than deviates from a person’s relational goals.

Sometimes, infidelity reveals rather than deviates from a person’s relational goals.

Marriage

9 Ways to Strengthen the Marriage Bond

Michael Karson Ph.D., J.D. on June 11, 2024

Learn these strategies for laying a solid foundation in a romance.

Learn these strategies for laying a solid foundation in a romance.