Psychologically Minded

Therapy

“I’m Sure Your Patients Are Getting Better”

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on May 11, 2025

“I'm sure your patients are getting better, just not—never—100%, right?”

“I'm sure your patients are getting better, just not—never—100%, right?”

Therapy

It’s Time for Psychology to Lead, Not Follow

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on October 27, 2019

Psychology should not be more like medicine. Psychology should be like psychology.

Psychology should not be more like medicine. Psychology should be like psychology.

Anxiety

This Is Talk Therapy

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on August 11, 2019

Therapist and patient may have the illusion that they have completed therapy when real therapy never even started.

Therapist and patient may have the illusion that they have completed therapy when real therapy never even started.

Anxiety

A Psychiatric Diagnosis is Not a Disease

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on July 27, 2019

Saying anxiety is caused by generalized anxiety disorder makes as much sense as saying anxiety is caused by anxiety.

Saying anxiety is caused by generalized anxiety disorder makes as much sense as saying anxiety is caused by anxiety.

Trauma

Selling Bad Therapy to Trauma Victims

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on November 19, 2017

It takes more than 20 sessions, or about six months of weekly therapy, before therapy patients start to improve.

It takes more than 20 sessions, or about six months of weekly therapy, before therapy patients start to improve.

Eating Disorders

How to Choose a Therapist

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on April 16, 2016

Beware of therapists who are too identified with a therapy “brand.” They have already decided how to treat you before they have met you, let alone understand you.

Beware of therapists who are too identified with a therapy “brand.” They have already decided how to treat you before they have met you, let alone understand you.

Therapy

The Therapy Relationship in Psychodynamic Therapy Versus CBT

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on March 18, 2015

Some therapists have no idea what a "therapeutic alliance" means.

Some therapists have no idea what a "therapeutic alliance" means.

SSRIs

Is your antidepressant a placebo or a miracle drug?

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on February 10, 2015

You're feeing better. Is it really the drug?

You're feeing better. Is it really the drug?

Suicide

Don’t Tell Me to Call 911

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on January 15, 2015

Therapists don't need voicemail messages that demean their patients.

Therapists don't need voicemail messages that demean their patients.

Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy 101

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on November 22, 2013

Sometimes people think they have completed psychotherapy when they never even started.

Sometimes people think they have completed psychotherapy when they never even started.

Bias

Bamboozled by Bad Science

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on October 31, 2013

Claims that “evidence-based” therapy is more effective than real-world therapy lack scientific basis. Academic researchers are selling a myth.

Claims that “evidence-based” therapy is more effective than real-world therapy lack scientific basis. Academic researchers are selling a myth.

Psychiatry

Is NIMH Brilliant, Stupid, or Both? Part 2

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on October 8, 2013

In the first half of the 20th century, American psychiatry was virtually ‘brainless’… In the second half of the 20th century, psychiatry became virtually ‘mindless.’

In the first half of the 20th century, American psychiatry was virtually ‘brainless’… In the second half of the 20th century, psychiatry became virtually ‘mindless.’

Health

Is NIMH Brilliant, Stupid, or Both?

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on October 3, 2013

The fundamental premise of DSM-5—that mental health conditions can be classified meaningfully on the basis of overt symptoms—is flat out wrong.

The fundamental premise of DSM-5—that mental health conditions can be classified meaningfully on the basis of overt symptoms—is flat out wrong.

Something would be seriously amiss if experienced clinicians practiced like beginners, following an instruction manual like a consumer trying to assemble an appliance.

Anxiety

Doublethink Diagnosis 2.0

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on October 1, 2013

One of the most helpful things about our struggling students is that in their moments of concreteness, they hold up a mirror to the hypocrisies in our field. The mental health professions are guilty of pervasive doublethink.

One of the most helpful things about our struggling students is that in their moments of concreteness, they hold up a mirror to the hypocrisies in our field. The mental health professions are guilty of pervasive doublethink.

Psychiatry

Choosing the Right Therapist

Jonathan Shedler Ph.D. on September 30, 2013

Beware of therapists who are too identified with a therapy “brand.” They have already decided how to treat you before they have met you, let alone understand you.

Beware of therapists who are too identified with a therapy “brand.” They have already decided how to treat you before they have met you, let alone understand you.