What The Wild Things Are

Understandings of Self, Awareness, and Mental Health in an Ever-Changing World

Samantha Smithstein Psy.D.

What's Truly Hot: Desire and Consent

Six years ago a woman accused me of rape.

Love Without a Future

What if we spent our effort getting to know, deeply, who this other person is and what their life is about, and love was about supporting that, even if it takes them away from us?

Are Others a Threat or a Benefit?

It is so important at times like these to step back and think about how people come to the point of acting out in hate against one another.

I Still Don't Feel Loved/Connected/Cared About!

One of the biggest issues to plague couples I see in my practice is the tension between what is happening and what is wanted. How do we turn this into an opportunity for intimacy?

The Ordinary Courage of Being Our Selves

If we want to live full, rich lives, we must take the risk to override the shame and to be fully in relationship with others and the word.

The Unexpected Gifts of Desire

What can we learn if we don't automatically act to fulfill an urge or longing?

Diagnoses: Harmful or Helpful?

Mental illness can tell us what's wrong with a person, with parenting, with a culture, and with society. It's bio/psycho/social. Let's learn fully about ourselves from it.

The Gender Revolution Is Here

The take-down of black-and-white thinking about what it means to be a human being and liberates us all.

Poetry In a Time of Crisis

Poetry is a place where we can preserve our imaginations, as well as necessary silence.

In the Face of Fear Is Love Possible?

An activist explains why it's a challenge to approach solutions from a place of openness and love in the aftermath of the election.

A Man’s ABCs of Miscarriage

Miscarriage is a real and painful loss for the father-to-be as well.

Fight or Grow

Moments of hurt or anger with your partner can become opportunities to heal, grow, and develop intimacy.

Moments of Grace

Moments of grace have nothing to do with us… but also do have a lot to do with us.

Stop, Drop, and Panic

As someone that has always appeared calm on the outside, while internally choking on my panic on the inside, I knew that my story was just absurd enough.

Honesty Isn't Enough

The intersection of authenticity and empathy: Sometimes too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.

Being With What Is

We all have the task of knowing ourselves as deeply as we can, and then manifesting that self as fully as possible in the world.

As My Kids Graduate, I Do Too

My kids have graduated high school, which means I've been handed a pink slip for the best job I've ever had.

What Does It Mean to Do "God's Work"?

What's more important than simply enjoying our job or being good at it?

Can't I Just Say "I'm Sorry" and We Can Move On?

The question is not if we will hurt others, because we all will. The question is what we should do when it happens.

Grief and Fear

Grief is also about becoming untethered. It’s about losing an identity.

A New Kidney for My Father

I feel a depth of gratitude that is akin to something spiritual.

Where Are You?

Ayeka: the more we are open to the question, the more we can be clear about how to chart a course forward on our path.

de·tach·ment

A person becomes detached from a hut only when they are able to move into a mansion.

Parenting Kids with Challenges

Why Elizabeth Corsale, MFT, feels it's a great honor to work with the parents of kids with learning and attention differences, and that she's lucky to learn so much from them about how to keep going in the face of extremely challenging circumstances.

The Most Wonderful Time for a Beer

Abstinence from all alcoholic beverages may be the best strategy for you over the holidays. But for those who don't want to abstain, or who simply want to be mindful of how much alcohol they consume, moderation is key.

Letting Go and Being Okay

What has this journey of parenting kids with learning differences meant to you? How has it transformed you? One mother gives us her answer.

Are We Born Good (or Evil)?

Why would a human being behave in an altruistic manner, especially to risk his or her life and/or endure pain for someone they don’t even know?

Prison Interviews: Book Excerpt

What's it like to evaluate sex offenders under the Sexually Violent Predator Act?

How to Overcome Barriers to Forgiveness

It's hard to let go of the suffering caused by someone else’s wrongdoing. What barriers stand in the way of forgiveness—and how can we overcome them?

The Goal of Psychotherapy

We think of psychology as a field of study, or as a practice to help others. But what are the ultimate goals? Maharishi Mahesh Yogi offers his insights.

  • Previous
  • Page 1 (current)
  • Next