In Therapy

Therapy

Who Are You Really?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on November 1, 2023

Are you more nature or nurture? Sure, your type might matter, but you may also be impacted by the sh*t that happened to you.

Are you more nature or nurture? Sure, your type might matter, but you may also be impacted by the sh*t that happened to you.

Anxiety

Why It's OK to Have Nothing to Talk About in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 12, 2021

What to talk about in therapy if you haven't planned anything.

What to talk about in therapy if you haven't planned anything.

Media

Why Is Everyone Talking About Journaling?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on July 15, 2020

In the spring of 2020, social media feeds told you it was time to start a journal "now, more than ever." Why? What's so great about journaling?

In the spring of 2020, social media feeds told you it was time to start a journal "now, more than ever." Why? What's so great about journaling?

Transference

Writing About the Talking Cure

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on March 31, 2018

The Psychology Today blogs are 10 years old this year, and so is In Therapy. Today I'm sharing a few lessons I've learned along the way.

The Psychology Today blogs are 10 years old this year, and so is In Therapy. Today I'm sharing a few lessons I've learned along the way.

Transference

Is It OK to Dig Into Your Therapist's History?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on March 31, 2018

Are you breaking a therapy rule if you do? Is it in your best interest? There are potential harms and benefits, depending on the details.

Are you breaking a therapy rule if you do? Is it in your best interest? There are potential harms and benefits, depending on the details.

Depression

Is "Evidence-Based" Off Base?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on February 15, 2018

Is our evidence-based therapy bias hurting or helping? An interview with Dr. Enrico Gnaulati.

Is our evidence-based therapy bias hurting or helping? An interview with Dr. Enrico Gnaulati.

Stress

How to Recommend Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 31, 2017

Therapy can be incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, we're still in a time where recommending it can seem like an insult. Here's one gentle approach.

Therapy can be incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, we're still in a time where recommending it can seem like an insult. Here's one gentle approach.

Embarrassment

9 Tips for Awkward Silences in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 29, 2017

All the good stuff has already been covered (or so it seems). Where should you go from here? What should you talk about in therapy? Awkward.

All the good stuff has already been covered (or so it seems). Where should you go from here? What should you talk about in therapy? Awkward.

Motivation

When to Quit Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 19, 2017

In an ideal world, all therapy would provide a good ending, where loose ends are tied up, take-away points are clarified, and we share a clean goodbye. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

In an ideal world, all therapy would provide a good ending, where loose ends are tied up, take-away points are clarified, and we share a clean goodbye. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Addiction

Therapy for Gambling Addiction

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on September 24, 2017

Gambling maintains the fantasy of success while denying some harsh, cruel realities.

Gambling maintains the fantasy of success while denying some harsh, cruel realities.

Deception

Why People Lie to Their Therapists

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on October 26, 2016

You spend money, time, and emotional energy going to therapy—so why not tell the truth?

You spend money, time, and emotional energy going to therapy—so why not tell the truth?

Stress

Talking About Money

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on June 30, 2016

How do you cope with financial stress? Ever tried talking about it?

How do you cope with financial stress? Ever tried talking about it?

Stress

A Letter to Therapists 2: Finance Language Lessons

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on June 6, 2016

“If you knew my income, my debt, my bad decisions, my cover-ups, you definitely wouldn’t like me.”

“If you knew my income, my debt, my bad decisions, my cover-ups, you definitely wouldn’t like me.”

Stress

A Letter to Therapists: Beware of Financial Stress

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on May 30, 2016

Despite all of our research and experience, the field of psychology continues to ignore an issue hidden in plain sight.

Despite all of our research and experience, the field of psychology continues to ignore an issue hidden in plain sight.

Ghosting

4 Reasons Not to Ghost Your Therapist

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on January 2, 2016

Every therapist has a story or twelve about clients who seem to be connecting and doing well in therapy and then they suddenly disappear. Poof.

Every therapist has a story or twelve about clients who seem to be connecting and doing well in therapy and then they suddenly disappear. Poof.

Relationships

Disability and Humanity in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on August 12, 2015

How do physical disabilities impact psychological treatment? How do they impact the therapist? Dr. Deborah Buckwalter shares her thoughts in this Moments of Meaning video.

How do physical disabilities impact psychological treatment? How do they impact the therapist? Dr. Deborah Buckwalter shares her thoughts in this Moments of Meaning video.

Guilt

Resolving Guilt in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on June 5, 2015

Dr. Martin Hsia describes his compassionate CBT intervention for resolving guilt in this Moments of Meaning video.

Dr. Martin Hsia describes his compassionate CBT intervention for resolving guilt in this Moments of Meaning video.

Anger

Therapists Tell Therapy Stories

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on June 2, 2015

What really happens behind the closed doors of a therapy session? Six therapists share stories.

What really happens behind the closed doors of a therapy session? Six therapists share stories.

Sleep

To Screen or Not To Screen?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on May 18, 2015

Should we keep screens away from kids? Or give them full access and let them work it out? Is there a middle ground?

Should we keep screens away from kids? Or give them full access and let them work it out? Is there a middle ground?

Wisdom

Book Review: Wisdom from the Couch

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on March 22, 2015

Dr. Jennifer Kunst shares the warmer, friendlier side of Kleinian psychology in this interview and book review.

Dr. Jennifer Kunst shares the warmer, friendlier side of Kleinian psychology in this interview and book review.