Philosophy and Therapy

Anxiety

Why Options Matter for Mental Health

John T. Maier on December 29, 2022

Some argue that excessive choices may be a risk to mental health. Evidence shows that we should be more aware of our options.

Some argue that excessive choices may be a risk to mental health. Evidence shows that we should be more aware of our options.

Philosophy

Derealization, Concern, and the Feeling of Reality

John T. Maier on September 29, 2022

Thinking about the psychiatric phenomenon of derealization sheds light on philosophical questions about our reality experience.

Thinking about the psychiatric phenomenon of derealization sheds light on philosophical questions about our reality experience.

Addiction

Weakness of Will and the Persistence of Stigma

John T. Maier on August 11, 2022

We are in the habit of describing other people, and ourselves, as weak-willed. But this term bears a residue of stigma that we should reject.

We are in the habit of describing other people, and ourselves, as weak-willed. But this term bears a residue of stigma that we should reject.

Psychosis

When Our Thoughts Are Not Our Own

John T. Maier on May 19, 2022

Some philosophers take it to be obvious that i am the thinker of any thought I have. But considerations from psychiatry and religious experience suggest this is not so obvious.

Some philosophers take it to be obvious that i am the thinker of any thought I have. But considerations from psychiatry and religious experience suggest this is not so obvious.

Self-Help

The Case for Bibliotherapy

John T. Maier on March 30, 2022

Books, when appropriately chosen and offered in a structured setting, can be a remarkably effective and readily available mental health intervention.

Books, when appropriately chosen and offered in a structured setting, can be a remarkably effective and readily available mental health intervention.

Depression

Global Mental Health and the Ethics of Happiness

John T. Maier on February 20, 2022

Mental health is a global problem. Research suggests that relatively inexpensive interventions might contribute to improving it.

Mental health is a global problem. Research suggests that relatively inexpensive interventions might contribute to improving it.

Addiction

Prohibition and Accommodations for Addiction

John T. Maier on January 20, 2022

Should drugs or alcohol be prohibited? Answering this question sensibly requires us to prioritize accommodating the needs of people with addictions.

Should drugs or alcohol be prohibited? Answering this question sensibly requires us to prioritize accommodating the needs of people with addictions.

Anxiety

Risk Aversion and the Roots of Anxiety

John T. Maier on December 11, 2021

People with anxiety tend to be reluctant to take chances. A distinction in decision-making helps explain the source of this reluctance and how to treat it.

People with anxiety tend to be reluctant to take chances. A distinction in decision-making helps explain the source of this reluctance and how to treat it.

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Philosophical View

John T. Maier on November 28, 2021

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an important and increasingly influential form of behavior-oriented therapy. It also has deep roots in the philosophy of mind and motivation.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an important and increasingly influential form of behavior-oriented therapy. It also has deep roots in the philosophy of mind and motivation.

Psychology

Surgery and the Psychology of Mortality

John T. Maier on November 12, 2021

When confronting major surgery, it can be difficult to find guidance on thinking about our mortality honestly and openly.

When confronting major surgery, it can be difficult to find guidance on thinking about our mortality honestly and openly.

Health

Mental Health and the Invasion of Privacy

John T. Maier on October 11, 2021

Mental health practice often involves discussing the private details of patients' lives in meetings and conferences. But this is ethically questionable.

Mental health practice often involves discussing the private details of patients' lives in meetings and conferences. But this is ethically questionable.

Psych Careers

An Academic's Guide to Becoming a Therapist

John T. Maier on September 29, 2021

Curious about leaving academia to become a therapist? This guide explains my experience and give tips for how to make the change yourself.

Curious about leaving academia to become a therapist? This guide explains my experience and give tips for how to make the change yourself.

Psychology

How to Live With Less Regret

John T. Maier on September 13, 2021

Regret is inevitable. But research into the psychology of regret helps us understand the reasons behind regret, and how we can learn to feel less of it.

Regret is inevitable. But research into the psychology of regret helps us understand the reasons behind regret, and how we can learn to feel less of it.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Should Therapy Change What We Believe? Can It?

John T. Maier on August 17, 2021

Some therapies aim to change what we believe. But is that even possible?

Some therapies aim to change what we believe. But is that even possible?

Addiction

The Disability Model of Addiction

John T. Maier on August 3, 2021

What is addiction? Some argue that rather than a disease, addiction is a disability, and that the priority of addiction policy should be providing reasonable accommodations to addicted people.

What is addiction? Some argue that rather than a disease, addiction is a disability, and that the priority of addiction policy should be providing reasonable accommodations to addicted people.

Chronic Pain

Can Pain Be Defined?

John T. Maier on July 18, 2021

A major medical pain organization has recently revised its definition of pain. The revision could affect treatment for millions of Americans. But pain has long eluded definition.

A major medical pain organization has recently revised its definition of pain. The revision could affect treatment for millions of Americans. But pain has long eluded definition.

Online Therapy

There's No Eye Contact in Online Therapy. What Have We Lost?

John T. Maier on July 7, 2021

Therapy now has much less eye contact, thanks to Zoom sessions — and the field itself has trouble registering the scope of this loss.

Therapy now has much less eye contact, thanks to Zoom sessions — and the field itself has trouble registering the scope of this loss.