What Doesn't Kill Us

Self-Help

Is It Time to Change Who You Think You Are?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on December 31, 2022

Imagine someone you respect turned to you right now and told you what they admired about you. What might they say?

Imagine someone you respect turned to you right now and told you what they admired about you. What might they say?

Self-Help

What Terror Management Theory Teaches Us About Christmas

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on December 3, 2022

Significant moments in our lives are often only seen in the rear mirror. They are rarely understood as significant at the time.

Significant moments in our lives are often only seen in the rear mirror. They are rarely understood as significant at the time.

Education

Are You Chasing Happiness Like a Rainbow?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on November 25, 2022

We often pursue happiness as an end goal, doing things today in the belief that it will bring happiness tomorrow. But that is like seeking the end of a rainbow.

We often pursue happiness as an end goal, doing things today in the belief that it will bring happiness tomorrow. But that is like seeking the end of a rainbow.

Positive Psychology

Can You Hear the Truth About Yourself?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on October 30, 2022

Imagine, a friend tells you that they want to say something to you. They sit you down and proceed to tell you some unpleasant truths. What would they say?

Imagine, a friend tells you that they want to say something to you. They sit you down and proceed to tell you some unpleasant truths. What would they say?

Ask yourself this question: Which of the characters reminds you most of yourself?

Empathy

3 Therapist Attitudes That Are Key for Healing

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on April 22, 2021

The magic is in learning to be congruent and simultaneously empathic and unconditionally regarding.

The magic is in learning to be congruent and simultaneously empathic and unconditionally regarding.

Trauma

Why Drop the Disorder From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on March 21, 2021

Post-traumatic stress can be understood as indicative of a search for meaning in which the drive to revisit and remember is a normal and natural urge.

Post-traumatic stress can be understood as indicative of a search for meaning in which the drive to revisit and remember is a normal and natural urge.

Mindfulness

Can Practicing Mindfulness Be Detrimental?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on March 11, 2021

What we need is the use of mindfulness practices in which people can come to a greater awareness of themselves, including what causes them to suffer.

What we need is the use of mindfulness practices in which people can come to a greater awareness of themselves, including what causes them to suffer.

Positive Psychology

Are Authentic People More in Harmony With Nature?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on November 21, 2020

Are destructive environmental behaviours the result of how people have become alienated from themselves?

Are destructive environmental behaviours the result of how people have become alienated from themselves?

Staff showing empathy and positive regard toward prisoners should not be confused with approval of criminal behavior, but rather seen as communicating hope.

Positive Psychology

How Do We Create a More Compassionate World?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on August 14, 2020

It may be that in trying to cultivate a more compassionate world, we need to start with ourselves and search for our own inner authenticity.

It may be that in trying to cultivate a more compassionate world, we need to start with ourselves and search for our own inner authenticity.

Mindfulness

Are Authentic People More Mindful?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

Authenticity involves learning about yourself. That can mean facing up to things that you don’t like about yourself and admitting your failures and mistakes.

Authenticity involves learning about yourself. That can mean facing up to things that you don’t like about yourself and admitting your failures and mistakes.

Relationships

Can Therapy Promote Authenticity?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on July 19, 2020

Does your therapist really listen to you? Do you feel valued, understood, and accepted by them? That sounds like the type of therapy that will allow you to find yourself.

Does your therapist really listen to you? Do you feel valued, understood, and accepted by them? That sounds like the type of therapy that will allow you to find yourself.

Trauma

Discovering What Really Matters

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on March 23, 2020

Is it possible that the current crisis that we all face will help us to look deeply within ourselves to reappraise our lives and what really matters?

Is it possible that the current crisis that we all face will help us to look deeply within ourselves to reappraise our lives and what really matters?

Self-Help

Why Are Authentic People Happier?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on December 8, 2019

People can decide to live a more authentic life, but it can take time to really change, to step aside from old habits and ways of thinking, and to begin to get to know yourself

People can decide to live a more authentic life, but it can take time to really change, to step aside from old habits and ways of thinking, and to begin to get to know yourself

Trauma

Does Writing About How You Feel Help Deal with Trauma?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on December 3, 2019

It may be that simply writing about thoughts and feelings on a regular basis can be helpful to people in making sense of their trauma-related experiences.

It may be that simply writing about thoughts and feelings on a regular basis can be helpful to people in making sense of their trauma-related experiences.

Types of Therapy

Would Politicians Benefit from Psychotherapy?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on September 3, 2019

Do we value qualities like emotional literacy, kindness, and authenticity enough in our politicians?

Do we value qualities like emotional literacy, kindness, and authenticity enough in our politicians?

Unconscious

What Is the Unconscious Mind?

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on August 20, 2019

The psychologist William James argued that our consciousness is like a lake and that we are floating upon it in a glass bottom boat.

The psychologist William James argued that our consciousness is like a lake and that we are floating upon it in a glass bottom boat.

Family Dynamics

An Update on the Hidden Caregivers

Stephen Joseph Ph.D. on July 3, 2019

Around 7 percent of young people were identified as doing at least a high amount of caring, often for a mother or a sibling with a physical disability.

Around 7 percent of young people were identified as doing at least a high amount of caring, often for a mother or a sibling with a physical disability.

The concept of post-traumatic growth tells us that if you have experienced such terrible things, then of course you have your stress and your trauma, but you can also grow