The Cube

Trauma

EMDR for Performance Enhancement: It's Not Just for Trauma

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on September 11, 2025

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), an empirically validated tool for treating PTSD, is being used for performance enhancement in sports and other domains.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), an empirically validated tool for treating PTSD, is being used for performance enhancement in sports and other domains.

Psychosis

Schizophrenia Today: What's New and What's Coming

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on January 1, 2025

A new book offers feedback from experts on the state of schizophrenia treatment and research, with new perspectives and treatment approaches.

A new book offers feedback from experts on the state of schizophrenia treatment and research, with new perspectives and treatment approaches.

Bias

Is Goliath Syndrome the Male Equivalent of RBF?

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on November 21, 2024

"Goliath syndrome" is a phenomenon in which large men are prejudged as being mean or aggressive, similar to women with "resting bitch face."

"Goliath syndrome" is a phenomenon in which large men are prejudged as being mean or aggressive, similar to women with "resting bitch face."

Adolescence

Help Me, Help You: How to Help Your Struggling Teen

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on September 26, 2024

It can be a challenge helping teens get the help they need.

It can be a challenge helping teens get the help they need.

Freudian Psychology

The New Adventures of Old Freud

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on August 28, 2024

An updated and revised translation of Freud's complete works was recently completed by Dr. Mark Solms, including new writings that may alter our view of him on social issues.

An updated and revised translation of Freud's complete works was recently completed by Dr. Mark Solms, including new writings that may alter our view of him on social issues.

Depression

Gen Z Takes on Mental Health

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on May 31, 2024

A Gen Z teen talks about mental health and how she and her peers hear the messages they receive from the adults in their lives.

A Gen Z teen talks about mental health and how she and her peers hear the messages they receive from the adults in their lives.

Defense Mechanisms

Defense Mechanisms Are the Sunglasses of Our Mind

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on May 15, 2024

The good, the bad, and the tinted: While they can be protective, defense mechanisms can also be detrimental if overused.

The good, the bad, and the tinted: While they can be protective, defense mechanisms can also be detrimental if overused.

Ketamine

What to Know About Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on April 25, 2024

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) appears effective in treating myriad psychological conditions. A case study is presented demonstrating how it may optimally work.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) appears effective in treating myriad psychological conditions. A case study is presented demonstrating how it may optimally work.

Ketamine

What to Know About Ketamine for Psychiatric Use

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

Ketamine's use as a psychiatric drug has sharply increased in recent years, particularly for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Ketamine's use as a psychiatric drug has sharply increased in recent years, particularly for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Trauma

What Can an Index Card Teach You About Trauma Recovery?

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on November 15, 2023

Here's how the pain from trauma and loss, though never completely abating, can recede to the background with time and increased activity.

Here's how the pain from trauma and loss, though never completely abating, can recede to the background with time and increased activity.

Adolescence

What to Expect When You're Expecting a Teenager

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on February 15, 2023

Parenting a teenager poses many challenges, but you can help yourself by learning in advance how to avoid them.

Parenting a teenager poses many challenges, but you can help yourself by learning in advance how to avoid them.

Defense Mechanisms

The Psychology of Christmas and Its Contradictions

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on December 18, 2022

Can we embrace the contradictions of Christmas rather than turning to defense mechanisms that shield us from their truth?

Can we embrace the contradictions of Christmas rather than turning to defense mechanisms that shield us from their truth?

Anxiety

The Profound Challenge of Existential Anxiety

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on December 2, 2022

Aging, illness, and serious life challenges can throw any of us into a state of existential anxiety. Here's what it is, why it occurs, and what you can do about it.

Aging, illness, and serious life challenges can throw any of us into a state of existential anxiety. Here's what it is, why it occurs, and what you can do about it.

Motivation

Mediation With a Therapeutic Bent

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on November 15, 2022

A new book by Dan Simon, MA, JD, and Tara West, Ph.D., JD, explains that when mediators prioritize self-determination, their clients leave personally empowered.

A new book by Dan Simon, MA, JD, and Tara West, Ph.D., JD, explains that when mediators prioritize self-determination, their clients leave personally empowered.

Politics

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Explains the Midterm Elections

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, particularly its emphasis on food and safety, explains the outcome of the 2022 elections and offers future guidance.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, particularly its emphasis on food and safety, explains the outcome of the 2022 elections and offers future guidance.

Psychology

Can a Statistic Used in Psychology Reveal the True Home Run Champ?

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on October 8, 2022

It's October! The MLB playoffs are here and Aaron Judge just broke the American League home run record. But who's the real champ? A statistic used in psychology can tell us.

It's October! The MLB playoffs are here and Aaron Judge just broke the American League home run record. But who's the real champ? A statistic used in psychology can tell us.

Narcissism

What Time Is It? Your Answer is Telling

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on August 31, 2022

A simple question, "What time is it?" has the power to spur psychological insight, challenge your narcissism and lead you towards a holistic understanding the universe.

A simple question, "What time is it?" has the power to spur psychological insight, challenge your narcissism and lead you towards a holistic understanding the universe.

Religion

Tribalism: How to Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on July 31, 2022

Whether it's based on race, religion, or politics, tribalism threatens all we hold dear. Here's how to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Whether it's based on race, religion, or politics, tribalism threatens all we hold dear. Here's how to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Gender

New Research Shows How Gender Expectations Drive Our Politics

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on July 22, 2022

New research suggests that it's not gender, but our attitudes about gender, that determines our politics.

New research suggests that it's not gender, but our attitudes about gender, that determines our politics.

Freudian Psychology

Why Freud Matters Now, More Than Ever

John G. Cottone Ph.D. on July 19, 2022

Investigating the unconscious can help us understand why we repeat the same relationship mistakes, fall into certain behavior patterns, and self-sabotage right before we succeed.

Investigating the unconscious can help us understand why we repeat the same relationship mistakes, fall into certain behavior patterns, and self-sabotage right before we succeed.