Is Psychology Making Us Sick?

Race and Ethnicity

Witnessing Racial Violence

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on February 2, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The stories we tell ourselves about the murder of a Black man by Black police officers are a window into the psyche of our nation.

A Personal Perspective: The stories we tell ourselves about the murder of a Black man by Black police officers are a window into the psyche of our nation.

Embarrassment

When Criticism Turns to Shame (And When It Doesn't)

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on December 19, 2022

Shame annihilates. Being criticized often leads to shame. Here's why it happens and what you can do about it.

Shame annihilates. Being criticized often leads to shame. Here's why it happens and what you can do about it.

Aging

A Personal Note on Aging

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on October 14, 2022

A Personal Perspective: We long for youth, but aging blesses us with depth, grace and a closeness with our true selves. Here's my personal reflection.
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A Personal Perspective: We long for youth, but aging blesses us with depth, grace and a closeness with our true selves. Here's my personal reflection.
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Self-Talk

Seeing Your Body Through Loving Eyes

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on August 30, 2021

Weight loss programs rarely work, yet many of us feel compelled to try them anyway. It may be due to a harsh, authoritarian inner critic.

Weight loss programs rarely work, yet many of us feel compelled to try them anyway. It may be due to a harsh, authoritarian inner critic.

Appetite

What Are You Really Hungry For?

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on November 23, 2020

What if understanding your emotional hungers, whether for love, power, respect, or other, is critical to understanding your hunger for food?
Here's how it works.

What if understanding your emotional hungers, whether for love, power, respect, or other, is critical to understanding your hunger for food?
Here's how it works.

Diet

Why You’re Not Wrong, Your Diet Programs Were

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on November 9, 2020

There’s a giant crime at the heart of the way women feel about themselves and their weight. Want to know what it is?

There’s a giant crime at the heart of the way women feel about themselves and their weight. Want to know what it is?

Embarrassment

Setting Healthy Boundaries: A Key to Healing Shame

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on May 7, 2019

Early shaming undermines one's natural self-protective impulses. Learning to set boundaries is key to healing shame.

Early shaming undermines one's natural self-protective impulses. Learning to set boundaries is key to healing shame.

Relationships

The Shaming of Our Needs

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on March 6, 2019

Why do we question, judge and shame our needs? How does this effect our relationships? Can we communicate our needs in ways that foster true intimacy?

Why do we question, judge and shame our needs? How does this effect our relationships? Can we communicate our needs in ways that foster true intimacy?

Relationships

Embracing Diversity in Relationships

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on September 29, 2017

How do we shift from a phase of unity and harmony in our relationships to embracing diversity? How do we be our true selves with another person who is different from us?

How do we shift from a phase of unity and harmony in our relationships to embracing diversity? How do we be our true selves with another person who is different from us?

Relationships

When Relationships Fall Apart

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on September 5, 2017

When relationships falter, there are many roads a couple can take. Which path will you choose?

When relationships falter, there are many roads a couple can take. Which path will you choose?

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence: Power and Rank Dynamics

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on August 21, 2017

Being unaware of power dynamics, leads many to blame and shame the victims of domestic violence. Understanding these dynamics empowers us to bear loving witness.

Being unaware of power dynamics, leads many to blame and shame the victims of domestic violence. Understanding these dynamics empowers us to bear loving witness.

Anger

Shaming Methods in Popular Psychology

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on March 30, 2017

Shaming methods can injure and are rarely sustainable.

Shaming methods can injure and are rarely sustainable.

Depression

What Depression May Be Telling You

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on November 2, 2016

Hidden in depression's feelings, moods, and thoughts is a deep intelligence. How can we explore its depths? What does it have to teach us?

Hidden in depression's feelings, moods, and thoughts is a deep intelligence. How can we explore its depths? What does it have to teach us?

President Donald Trump

Talking About Sexism: Responding to Trump

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on October 20, 2016

Trump’s words and behavior compel a deeper and more challenging conversation about sexual violence. We must combat the triple threat of denial, dismissal and victim blaming.

Trump’s words and behavior compel a deeper and more challenging conversation about sexual violence. We must combat the triple threat of denial, dismissal and victim blaming.

Embarrassment

Three Keys to Healing Shame

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on September 20, 2016

To heal our shame, we need to be: truly seen, witnessed with compassion, and have our feelings and deepest truths believed.

To heal our shame, we need to be: truly seen, witnessed with compassion, and have our feelings and deepest truths believed.

Embarrassment

Understanding Shame: Symptoms and Prevention

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on September 14, 2016

Shame is insidious, corrupting our self-knowledge, inhibiting our self-love. What are shame's consequences? What can we do to prevent it's toxic bite?

Shame is insidious, corrupting our self-knowledge, inhibiting our self-love. What are shame's consequences? What can we do to prevent it's toxic bite?

Spirituality

Mother Teresa: In The Shadow of a Saint

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on September 5, 2016

Mother Teresa is officially a saint. But her story is not only one of light, but also of shadow—the agony of the absence of her beloved, Jesus. How shall we understand her story?

Mother Teresa is officially a saint. But her story is not only one of light, but also of shadow—the agony of the absence of her beloved, Jesus. How shall we understand her story?

Embarrassment

The Roots of Shame

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on August 30, 2016

Do you sometimes think something is wrong with you? Do you know your own story and have compassion for your suffering? If not, shame may be limiting your healing.

Do you sometimes think something is wrong with you? Do you know your own story and have compassion for your suffering? If not, shame may be limiting your healing.

Child Development

Healing Our Wounds: Finding the Gold Within

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on July 6, 2016

When we find the gold hidden in our wounds, the healing process becomes more than resolving our pain. It becomes a path to discovering our greatest gifts.

When we find the gold hidden in our wounds, the healing process becomes more than resolving our pain. It becomes a path to discovering our greatest gifts.

Education

Do You Know How to Defend Yourself?

David Bedrick J.D., Dipl. PW on May 10, 2016

Have you ever been attacked, assaulted or hurt by another? Here's five time tested strategies for responding. Which have you used? Which would be good to learn?

Have you ever been attacked, assaulted or hurt by another? Here's five time tested strategies for responding. Which have you used? Which would be good to learn?