The Thing With Feathers

Jonathan Foiles LCSW

Telemachus

Dismantling the Oedipus Complex

Freud's Oedipus complex was foundational to his thought but sounds alien to modern ears. What might replace it in our era?

Family photo (unknown)

Sabina Spielrein: A Forgotten Pioneer

While she is known some for her relationship with Jung, a new volume of Spielrein's writings reveal a fascinating mind, whose recognition is long overdue.

Why Do We Cry?

The poet Heather Christle has written a marvelous book that is part memoir, part scientific examination of the phenomenon of tears.

Civilized To Death

We often think of our modern era as the best that has ever existed. But if that is true, why are so many people unhappy and unhealthy?

Greta Thunberg in Stockholm (2018)

We Should Listen to Greta Thunberg

Anxiety and depression are on the rise among adolescents. If we listen, they will tell us some reasons why.

Is President Trump "Psychotic"? Are His Enemies?

In the wake of Sharpiegate, pundits have differed over whether or not President Trump or his critics are "psychotic." Is that really the word we should be using?

The Unconscious Self by Vittorio Mazzucconi

Where Does the Unconscious Come From?

We take the idea of the unconscious for granted, but what exactly is responsible for its formation? Jean Laplanche had a remarkable theory.

Is Logic Logical?

We often place great confidence in our own ability to reason but have doubts when it comes to others. What is this capacity to evaluate arguments and predict outcomes anyway?

This City Is Killing Me

We know how to diagnose and treat people. What do we do when the problem stretches beyond the individual?

A Review of Jared Diamond's Upheaval

The author of Guns, Germs, and Steel believes that short-term crisis therapy has lessons to offer countries navigating conflict. Does he succeed in his efforts?

What Happens When a Community is Traumatized?

We have tools for treating post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals, but what do we do when an entire community has been scarred?

Thoughts and Prayers

The saying thoughts and prayers has become a commonplace refrain in the aftermath of a tragedy. Is that the best response to tragic violence?

What Can Psychology Learn from Buddhism?

Buddhism is a popular addition to psychological theory and practice, but David Loy suggests they be understood as different answers to the same questions.

Do Humans Need Each Other?

Modern life has left us increasingly isolated from one another. What does this mean for our long-term mental health and our health as a society?

The Human Toll of Chicago's Violence

Many know of Chicago's staggering murder rate, but statistics are often hard to fully grasp. My patients remind me of the human cost of gun violence.

This Too Is America: An Interview with Alex Kotlowitz

The award-winning journalist who has written about violence in Chicago for almost thirty years reflects upon the lingering impact of trauma in our American cities.

Where Reasons End

Yiyun Li's beautiful new novel confronts the pain of losing a child to suicide. The result is not just heartbreaking but beautiful.

Are Colleges Failing Students with Mental Illness?

A recent report gives America's most prestigious universities a failing grade when it comes to supporting students experiencing a mental illness.

Thomas Merton's hermitage at the Abbey of Gethsemani

How to Hold onto Hope

This year has been exhausting for many. A recent collection of Thomas Merton's letters offers encouragement and perspective to the weary.

Have We Been Getting Schizophrenia Wrong?

How much are our thoughts about schizophrenia based on stigma rather than science?

Ghosts in the Schoolyard

Mental health clinics and schools in Chicago have both suffered cutbacks and closures in recent years. What does this do to the mental health of the communities they serve?

Pictures taken by Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893) of a 'hysterical' patient.

Why Don't More People See a Therapist?

Despite our best efforts, stigma against those with mental illness persists. History reveals the roots of this and what we might do to address it.

Is Donald Trump Unfit to Be President?

An anonymous op-ed published by the New York Times last week reignited discussions about Pres. Trump's fitness for office. Is it time for mental health professionals to intervene?

Does DCFS Need to Be Reformed?

Parents have had the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) called on them for outlandish reasons. Does that mean it's time to reform how they handle hotline calls?

"The Past Is Our Definition"

We live in increasingly polarized times. The writings of Wendell Berry demonstrate ways to deepen our commitment to our world and to one another.

What's Going on in Chicago?

Chicago finds itself in the news again. My work in a community mental health center on the West Side has shown me the devastating impact of gun violence.

Life with Lacan

It's one thing to read their books, another to try to understand the person who wrote them. A new memoir offers a fascinating glimpse at Jacques Lacan.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

The narrator of Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation wants to sleep her problems away. Does it work?

Is 911 a Safe Option for a Mental Health Crisis?

I grew accustomed to referring clients in a mental health crisis to 911 until an intern forced me to reconsider.

Understanding the Framing of Acts of Violence

In the wake of terror, we use frames to help us make sense of tragedy. Those same frames dictate our response, and it's worth taking a closer look at them.

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