What Is He Thinking?

Fear

Putting Trump and the GOP on the Couch

Michael Bader D.M.H. on October 1, 2015

The GOP presidential candidates appeal to needs for safety and security through grandiosity and paranoia. Psychologists can help us understand how American Exceptionalism and xenophobia function to counteract feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, isolation, and self-blame, all of which are on the rise. Paranoia and grandiosity are pathological solutions.

The GOP presidential candidates appeal to needs for safety and security through grandiosity and paranoia. Psychologists can help us understand how American Exceptionalism and xenophobia function to counteract feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, isolation, and self-blame, all of which are on the rise. Paranoia and grandiosity are pathological solutions.

Relationships

It's NOT the Economy, Stupid!

Michael Bader D.M.H. on September 16, 2015

Liberals mistakenly believe that people are motivated primarily by narrow economic self-interest. Research and clinical experience shows this belief to be mistaken. Needs for meaning, purpose, community, recognition, and agency are every bit as important as so-called "survival needs" (a la Maslow), and the progressive movement needs to speak to these needs if it is to win.

Liberals mistakenly believe that people are motivated primarily by narrow economic self-interest. Research and clinical experience shows this belief to be mistaken. Needs for meaning, purpose, community, recognition, and agency are every bit as important as so-called "survival needs" (a la Maslow), and the progressive movement needs to speak to these needs if it is to win.

Relationships

Beyond Bread and Butter

Michael Bader D.M.H. on May 22, 2015

Progressive political activists are too fixated on economic inequality and justice, reflecting a narrow and incorrect view of what people really need.

Progressive political activists are too fixated on economic inequality and justice, reflecting a narrow and incorrect view of what people really need.

Trauma

Why We Cry at the Movies

Michael Bader D.M.H. on September 3, 2014

Paradoxically, people don't cry or get sad during the tragic or tense parts of a movie, TV show, or book. They cry when there is a resolution to the psychically distressing situation. During the tense/tragic scenes, they feel too vulnerable to cry or get emotional. They experience these feelings only when it is safe to do so. Safety makes it possible to lift repressions

Paradoxically, people don't cry or get sad during the tragic or tense parts of a movie, TV show, or book. They cry when there is a resolution to the psychically distressing situation. During the tense/tragic scenes, they feel too vulnerable to cry or get emotional. They experience these feelings only when it is safe to do so. Safety makes it possible to lift repressions

Fear

Why People Are So Mean to Immigrant Children

Michael Bader D.M.H. on August 22, 2014

The current wave of hostility toward the influx of Central American children has its psychic roots in, first, a need to project unacceptable needs and shameful vulnerabilities onto others who then become the "enemy," and, second, by scapegoating these children, some people feel a momentary sense of community based on an "us-vs-them" or "insider-outsider" experience.

The current wave of hostility toward the influx of Central American children has its psychic roots in, first, a need to project unacceptable needs and shameful vulnerabilities onto others who then become the "enemy," and, second, by scapegoating these children, some people feel a momentary sense of community based on an "us-vs-them" or "insider-outsider" experience.

Anger

We are a Nation on Hold

Michael Bader D.M.H. on March 27, 2014

Everyone has had the experience of endless waiting on the phone for help of some kind. Although affecting people in slightly different ways, the universal reaction is helplessness which leads to depression or rage. This reaction mirrors and reinforces other areas of our lives where we are powerless. For extreme conservatives, such feelings get displaced onto government.

Everyone has had the experience of endless waiting on the phone for help of some kind. Although affecting people in slightly different ways, the universal reaction is helplessness which leads to depression or rage. This reaction mirrors and reinforces other areas of our lives where we are powerless. For extreme conservatives, such feelings get displaced onto government.

Child Development

Your Therapist Probably Has One of These Nine Blind Spots

Michael Bader D.M.H. on March 26, 2014

Psychotherapists often apply theories that aren't specific to the client. They are guided by "principles of technique" learned in training and, unfortunately, gloss over the unique needs of clients. There are exceptions to every rule, thereby rendering the rule weak or invalid. The only useful clinical generalization involves creating a safe space unique to each person.

Psychotherapists often apply theories that aren't specific to the client. They are guided by "principles of technique" learned in training and, unfortunately, gloss over the unique needs of clients. There are exceptions to every rule, thereby rendering the rule weak or invalid. The only useful clinical generalization involves creating a safe space unique to each person.

Spirituality

Psychotherapy Is Much Simpler Than You Might Think

Michael Bader D.M.H. on January 4, 2014

The process by which psychotherapy works is made too complicated. 2 researchers, Joseph Weiss and Harold Sampson, have published research over 50 years, arguing persuasively that people suffer from "pathogenic beliefs" that interfere with normal developmental aims and that the role of the therapist is to provide insight and corrective experiences to cure their suffering.

The process by which psychotherapy works is made too complicated. 2 researchers, Joseph Weiss and Harold Sampson, have published research over 50 years, arguing persuasively that people suffer from "pathogenic beliefs" that interfere with normal developmental aims and that the role of the therapist is to provide insight and corrective experiences to cure their suffering.

Coaching

Coaching Myths

Michael Bader D.M.H. on December 9, 2013

The coaching profession is now wedded to the false and self-serving notion that it is significantly different from psychotherapy. In order to promote such a belief it has to caricature psychotherapy and hide its own (normal) pecuniary and status-driven self-interest

The coaching profession is now wedded to the false and self-serving notion that it is significantly different from psychotherapy. In order to promote such a belief it has to caricature psychotherapy and hide its own (normal) pecuniary and status-driven self-interest

Empathy

Who Is Speaking Up for the Insured?

Michael Bader D.M.H. on November 13, 2013

Most people have health insurance, but progressives focus on those who don't or on the limitations in the plans of those that do. But the people who have insurance suffer in many other ways--e.g. short appointments with busy distracted doctors, indifferent front offices, bureaucracies--all of which diminish health outcomes. We need to put the care back in health care.

Most people have health insurance, but progressives focus on those who don't or on the limitations in the plans of those that do. But the people who have insurance suffer in many other ways--e.g. short appointments with busy distracted doctors, indifferent front offices, bureaucracies--all of which diminish health outcomes. We need to put the care back in health care.

Empathy

How Do You Know Your Shrink Is Helping You?

Michael Bader D.M.H. on September 27, 2013

The psychotherapy field is a Tower of Babel of multiple professions and schools of thought. Therefore, it's difficult for patients to judge whether they are getting the help they need. Tragically, failures of a therapist are often internalized by patients who feel more hopeless. Five guidelines are presented to help patients evaluate their therapists and their treatment

The psychotherapy field is a Tower of Babel of multiple professions and schools of thought. Therefore, it's difficult for patients to judge whether they are getting the help they need. Tragically, failures of a therapist are often internalized by patients who feel more hopeless. Five guidelines are presented to help patients evaluate their therapists and their treatment

Relationships

Why Psychologists Will Miss James Gandolfini

Michael Bader D.M.H. on July 3, 2013

The narrative arc of Season 1 of the Sopranos amounts to Tony's dawning awareness of the intolerable truth of his mother's hatred. In this, Tony is Everyman. Like all of us, Tony would rather be "a sinner in heaven than a saint in hell;" that is, he'd rather see himself as "bad" rather than face the badness of a parent. When confronted by this in therapy, he explodes.

The narrative arc of Season 1 of the Sopranos amounts to Tony's dawning awareness of the intolerable truth of his mother's hatred. In this, Tony is Everyman. Like all of us, Tony would rather be "a sinner in heaven than a saint in hell;" that is, he'd rather see himself as "bad" rather than face the badness of a parent. When confronted by this in therapy, he explodes.

Mindfulness

A New Paradigm of Golf Instruction

Michael Bader D.M.H. on May 22, 2013

Mindfulness and other lessons from contemplative traditions have become increasingly important in sports coaching. In golf instruction, the pendulum has begun to swing from a focus on “fixing” what's “broken” with “tips” to deepening a golfer's experience of different aspects of the swing and an increased emphasis on becoming mindful of the present moment.

Mindfulness and other lessons from contemplative traditions have become increasingly important in sports coaching. In golf instruction, the pendulum has begun to swing from a focus on “fixing” what's “broken” with “tips” to deepening a golfer's experience of different aspects of the swing and an increased emphasis on becoming mindful of the present moment.

Psychoanalysis

Are People Getting More Primitive, or Is Psychoanalysis?

Michael Bader D.M.H. on April 18, 2013

There is a trend in psychoanalysis that privileges primitive mental states. This trend reflects a turn in theory but doesn't necessarily reflect importantl new insights that increase our therapeutic efficacy. I speculate that the motivations behind this "turn" include the excitement connected to notions of "depth" and a compensatory retreat from seeking greater efficacy.

There is a trend in psychoanalysis that privileges primitive mental states. This trend reflects a turn in theory but doesn't necessarily reflect importantl new insights that increase our therapeutic efficacy. I speculate that the motivations behind this "turn" include the excitement connected to notions of "depth" and a compensatory retreat from seeking greater efficacy.

Education

The Gun Lobby's Hypocrisy About Mental Health

Michael Bader D.M.H. on January 31, 2013

The gun lobby's attempts to divert attention from guns to mental health after Newtown was predictable, but hypocritical. If one looked seriously at what it would take to deal with the psychological causes of gun rampages, the cost and necessary expansion of government would be intolerable to those on the Right pretending to address the problem of mental illness today.

The gun lobby's attempts to divert attention from guns to mental health after Newtown was predictable, but hypocritical. If one looked seriously at what it would take to deal with the psychological causes of gun rampages, the cost and necessary expansion of government would be intolerable to those on the Right pretending to address the problem of mental illness today.

Politics

Bruce Springsteen and the Politics of Meaning in America

Michael Bader D.M.H. on September 12, 2012

Bruce Springsteen speaks to needs people have for meaning, connection, recognition, and agency. Progressives need to address these needs in order to defeat the advantage the Right has in money. Thus, we have to speak, like Springsteen, to their broader needs for things in addition to economic justice.

Bruce Springsteen speaks to needs people have for meaning, connection, recognition, and agency. Progressives need to address these needs in order to defeat the advantage the Right has in money. Thus, we have to speak, like Springsteen, to their broader needs for things in addition to economic justice.

Burnout

When Progressive Leaders Burn Out, We All Lose

Michael Bader D.M.H. on February 19, 2012

Progressive leaders are too often martyrs who burnout and recreate grim environments unattractive to others. It stems from both external pressures and internal conflicts involving guilt. A combination of organizational and personal changes can alleviate this problem and is essential to the success of our movement.

Progressive leaders are too often martyrs who burnout and recreate grim environments unattractive to others. It stems from both external pressures and internal conflicts involving guilt. A combination of organizational and personal changes can alleviate this problem and is essential to the success of our movement.

Pessimism

Obama, Cynicism, and the Need for Meaning

Michael Bader D.M.H. on August 3, 2011

The need for meaning is fundamental in the human psyche. It animates people in politics, work, family, and in both their spiritual and creative lives. When it's frustrated, as it has been by Obama, people become cynical. When it's activated, people will join movements and become their better selves.

The need for meaning is fundamental in the human psyche. It animates people in politics, work, family, and in both their spiritual and creative lives. When it's frustrated, as it has been by Obama, people become cynical. When it's activated, people will join movements and become their better selves.

Sex

Getting to the Bottom of Online Sex

Michael Bader D.M.H. on June 17, 2011

It's fine to judge Anthony Weiner. But if you want to understand the psychology of men drawn to online sex, you have to understand that such outlets provide very particular disconfirming conditions for the anxieties that plague men.

It's fine to judge Anthony Weiner. But if you want to understand the psychology of men drawn to online sex, you have to understand that such outlets provide very particular disconfirming conditions for the anxieties that plague men.

Sex

Everything Said About Anthony Weiner Is Wrong

Michael Bader D.M.H. on June 8, 2011

It's fine to be upset with Anthony Weiner for hurting the Democratic Party with his sexual shenanigans. But since we will never know a single thing about his personal psychology, everything we infer about it represents our own projections.

It's fine to be upset with Anthony Weiner for hurting the Democratic Party with his sexual shenanigans. But since we will never know a single thing about his personal psychology, everything we infer about it represents our own projections.