Our Devices, Our Selves

Trauma

The Inner War of Trauma

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on May 5, 2026

Do you find yourself in repeated fight or flight patterns? It could be a trauma response.

Do you find yourself in repeated fight or flight patterns? It could be a trauma response.

Sex

Understanding Sexual Shame

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on May 4, 2026

Do you feel like your whole sexual self? If the answer is no, this could help explain why.

Do you feel like your whole sexual self? If the answer is no, this could help explain why.

Philosophy

Why Philosophy Matters for Psychology

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on April 23, 2026

How can an exploration of Hegel's philosophy help you live better?

How can an exploration of Hegel's philosophy help you live better?

Ghosting

Why Ghosting Hurts So Much

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on April 19, 2026

Does ghosting annoy you? A certain amount of ghosting may be normal and healthy.

Does ghosting annoy you? A certain amount of ghosting may be normal and healthy.

Relationships

When Love Becomes a Question You Can’t Stop Asking

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on April 16, 2026

Do you have doubts about your relationship? This may be more normal than you think.

Do you have doubts about your relationship? This may be more normal than you think.

Health

What Does Mental Well-Being Look Like?

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on April 2, 2026

What does a mentally healthy person look like? For Erich Fromm, it was a matter of knowing it when you see it.

What does a mentally healthy person look like? For Erich Fromm, it was a matter of knowing it when you see it.

Appetite

The Psychology of Ozempic

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on March 18, 2026

Does Ozempic dampen more that just our appetite?

Does Ozempic dampen more that just our appetite?

Relationships

How to Be a Better Listener

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on March 16, 2026

Does the thought of becoming an active listener seem like work? Why listening can unlock new pleasures.

Does the thought of becoming an active listener seem like work? Why listening can unlock new pleasures.

Therapy

How Therapy Can Make Us More Interested in Others

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on February 26, 2026

Personal Perspective: While you may think therapy makes people too self-focused, good therapy does the opposite.

Personal Perspective: While you may think therapy makes people too self-focused, good therapy does the opposite.

Identity

Identity Fatigue

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on February 23, 2026

Do you feel like you have been typecast by yourself?

Do you feel like you have been typecast by yourself?

Attachment

Maybe We Don't Understand Each Other—but That's a Good Thing

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on February 16, 2026

Do you secretly wish your partner fully understood you? Maybe you should worry more if they lose their curiosity.

Do you secretly wish your partner fully understood you? Maybe you should worry more if they lose their curiosity.

Dreaming

Why It's Worth Exploring Your Dreams

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on January 27, 2026

Dreams matter, both physiologically and psychologically, even if their meaning isn't always clear.

Dreams matter, both physiologically and psychologically, even if their meaning isn't always clear.

Artificial Intelligence

How to Combat AI-Speak

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on January 23, 2026

Why using AI to compose messages may weaken social ties.

Why using AI to compose messages may weaken social ties.

Relationships

It’s Not Me, It’s Not You, It’s the Situation

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on January 21, 2026

Does your partner blame you for everything? Shift to situational awareness as an anger management tool.

Does your partner blame you for everything? Shift to situational awareness as an anger management tool.

Porn Addiction

You Are Probably Not a 'Porn Addict'

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on November 4, 2025

Do you identify as a porn "addict"? It's likely not addiction but "out-of-control" behaviour.

Do you identify as a porn "addict"? It's likely not addiction but "out-of-control" behaviour.

Artificial Intelligence

The Endless Affirmation of AI Companionship

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on October 20, 2025

Does your chatbot make you feel validated? It's not a coincidence but a design feature.

Does your chatbot make you feel validated? It's not a coincidence but a design feature.

Therapy

The Limits of AI "Therapy"

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on October 9, 2025

Do you use AI for therapy? You may need to prompt it for more friction.

Do you use AI for therapy? You may need to prompt it for more friction.

Attachment

Is Trolling a Cry for Attachment?

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on October 7, 2025

Do you have a troll in your life? It may be a bid for connection.

Do you have a troll in your life? It may be a bid for connection.

Animal Behavior

What Dogs Teach Us About Emotional Entanglements

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on September 23, 2025

Do you get stuck in the same fight over and over again?
Dog psychology may offer a better model

Do you get stuck in the same fight over and over again?
Dog psychology may offer a better model

Identity

Why Fierce Self-Esteem Can Backfire on Us

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on September 12, 2025

Understanding the paradox of a strong identity.

Understanding the paradox of a strong identity.