Free-Range Psychology

Suicide

Suicide Risk Assessment: A Critique

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on October 7, 2024

Standard approaches to suicide prevention encourage providers to ask questions about risk to avoid missing those at risk. Yet, in practice, they miss most people. Why is this?

Standard approaches to suicide prevention encourage providers to ask questions about risk to avoid missing those at risk. Yet, in practice, they miss most people. Why is this?

Grief

Productive and Unproductive Suffering

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on September 6, 2024

There are three critical differences between productive suffering and unproductive suffering.

There are three critical differences between productive suffering and unproductive suffering.

Therapy

A Critical View of Conventional Exposure Therapy

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on January 3, 2024

Traditional exposure therapy is often unhelpful, unsuccessful, and potentially retraumatizing to patients. However, principles of exposure can help patients heal, when modified.

Traditional exposure therapy is often unhelpful, unsuccessful, and potentially retraumatizing to patients. However, principles of exposure can help patients heal, when modified.

Ketamine

Anatomy of a Ketamine Infusion

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on October 12, 2023

Psychedelics are coming. Innovation without clear patient safety guidelines could lead to reckless practices.

Psychedelics are coming. Innovation without clear patient safety guidelines could lead to reckless practices.

Ketamine

Ketamine Is Not God

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on June 29, 2023

Psychedelic approaches can help us heal but they’re described in ways that alienate those of faith.

Psychedelic approaches can help us heal but they’re described in ways that alienate those of faith.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

C-PTSD: What Is Complex PTSD?

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on May 10, 2023

Complex PTSD refers to different things for different people.

Complex PTSD refers to different things for different people.

Therapy

Bravery Does Not Predict Good Outcomes in Therapy

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on February 16, 2023

Bravery often keeps people stuck suffering in silence. Courage offers a way through trauma.

Bravery often keeps people stuck suffering in silence. Courage offers a way through trauma.

Trauma

Rethinking Exposure Therapy as First-Line Trauma Treatment

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on January 10, 2023

Exposure therapies have long been seen as best-practice first-line approaches for trauma. With new options, it's time to evolve understanding of best-practice approaches.

Exposure therapies have long been seen as best-practice first-line approaches for trauma. With new options, it's time to evolve understanding of best-practice approaches.

Trauma

The Human Toll of Trauma for Law Enforcement Officers

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on May 4, 2022

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

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

Vagus Nerve

Polyvagal Theory: How Your Nervous System Works

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on March 4, 2022

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.

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.

Trust

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

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on September 9, 2021

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.”

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.”

Trauma

The Psychological Impact of the Surge in Mass Shootings

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on April 27, 2021

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.

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.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Documentary Explores a Range of New Treatments for PTSD

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on February 3, 2021

A new documentary explores innovative treatments for PTSD.

A new documentary explores innovative treatments for PTSD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Most Promising PTSD Treatment You've Never Heard Of

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on January 13, 2021

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.

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.

Suicide

Firearms and Suicide Risk: A Loaded Conversation

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on January 11, 2021

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?

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?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

5 Common Myths About PTSD

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on October 20, 2020

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

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

Suicide

Lessons Learned From a Patient Suicide Attempt

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on September 18, 2020

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

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

Suicide

How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on June 13, 2020

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.

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.

Health

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

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on March 28, 2020

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

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

Trauma

How Is America's "Coping" Muscle?

Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on March 25, 2020

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?

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?