Making Meaning

Constructing Understandings in a Confusing World

“Sorry, I'm Gonna Have to Let You Go" as an Act of Bad Faith

Have you ever ended a call by saying "I'm gonna have to let you go?" Let's examine why this is a small example of existential bad faith.

Dare You Take Someone Else’s Perspective?

In this contentious time, how do we maintain our sense of being “right” while entertaining alternative viewpoints?

What’s New in the International Classification of Diseases?

Gaming disorder is not the only controversial change in the new ICD-11. Let's review some others.

Suicide as Sickness?

Are we exaggerating the role of individual defects in suicide, while overlooking the powerful impact of sociocultural circumstances?

Drugs That Boost Mood: Do You Even Have a Mood Disorder?

Why do mental health professionals disagree so strongly over the issue of antidepressant effectiveness? What is their disagreement about?

Do You Need a Psychologist to Tell You Trump is Crazy?

Do psychologists know anything about this guy that everyone else can’t see just by paying attention?

Top 10 Things You May Not Know About the ICD-10

American mental health professionals are often quite unfamiliar with aspects the ICD-10, despite its relevance to their work. Here is some basic information to help them.

Can Therapists Really Share Power with Clients?

In asserting that they can share their power equally with clients, therapists mean well but are misguided. Here's why.

What Kind of Expert Is a Psychotherapist?

I believe that psychotherapists are experts at interpersonal communication. We talk to people and, in so doing, help them have transformative conversations.

Ethics and Honesty in an Age of Alternative Facts

Feeling ethically unmoored in the era of "post-truth" and "alternative facts?" Perhaps constructivist psychology can help!

Want to Learn about Personal Construct Psychology?

Ringing in the 22nd International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology with a post and some links on the basics of personal construct theory.

Is Donald Trump Out of His Mind?

Is Donald Trump out of his mind? From a context-centered therapy perspective, not a bit. Sadly, he’s all too much in it.

Trump’s Hostility and “Alternative Facts”

From the perspective of personal construct theory, President Trump's "alternative facts" exemplify hostility. But he's not alone. We all get hostile sometimes. It's human, but bad.