The Me in We

Narcissism

Two Takes on Narcissism

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on November 4, 2023

Let's examine two different views of narcissism, one by Freud and one by Kohut.

Let's examine two different views of narcissism, one by Freud and one by Kohut.

Forgiveness

Needing a Target for Blame

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Blaming is an aggressive act that requires a collusive partner to absorb the attack.

Blaming is an aggressive act that requires a collusive partner to absorb the attack.

Anxiety

Splitting Is a Problem With Ambivalence

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on February 19, 2023

Splitting allows one to tolerate difficult and contradictory emotions by seeing someone as either idealized or devalued. 

Splitting allows one to tolerate difficult and contradictory emotions by seeing someone as either idealized or devalued. 

Psychoanalysis

An Examined Life

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on December 24, 2022

Talking helps sort out difficult feelings and find the "leading edge" of psychic growth.

Talking helps sort out difficult feelings and find the "leading edge" of psychic growth.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis as Emotional Education

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

The psychoanalytic relationship is unparalleled in its power to help one know one's own mind.

The psychoanalytic relationship is unparalleled in its power to help one know one's own mind.

Empathy

Empathy and Its Failures

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on October 22, 2022

Empathy is the midwife of healthy narcissism.

Empathy is the midwife of healthy narcissism.

Narcissism

Self-Love Is a Developmental Achievement

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on September 18, 2022

Vulnerable narcissism: How "self psychology" helps regulate self-esteem and prevents you from falling to pieces.

Vulnerable narcissism: How "self psychology" helps regulate self-esteem and prevents you from falling to pieces.

Trauma

A New Psychologically Informed Diplomacy

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on May 12, 2022

A new psychologically informed diplomacy encourages diplomats to talk about their feelings and address the effects of historical trauma on present negotiations.

A new psychologically informed diplomacy encourages diplomats to talk about their feelings and address the effects of historical trauma on present negotiations.

Identity

Confederate Monuments and Self-Image

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on March 14, 2022

How a Confederate monument can affect mental health.

How a Confederate monument can affect mental health.

Depression

Blocked Mourning, Melancholia, and Depression's Trap

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on December 30, 2021

Is depression a mental state of frozen mourning?

Is depression a mental state of frozen mourning?

Grief

Joy and Its Connection to Grief

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on December 10, 2021

A Personal Perspective: How is joy connected to the ability to grieve?

A Personal Perspective: How is joy connected to the ability to grieve?

Identity

Group Identity and Its Making

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on October 7, 2021

Group psychology, unmourned trauma, and the leader-follower relationship.

Group psychology, unmourned trauma, and the leader-follower relationship.

Parental Alienation

Signs of Parental Alienation

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on July 9, 2021

What is the triangular dynamic called "parental alienation"?

What is the triangular dynamic called "parental alienation"?

Guilt

Understanding the Pleasure of Pain

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on March 22, 2021

Rethinking masochism and its forms.

Rethinking masochism and its forms.

Memory

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on January 27, 2021

How did Germans learned to remember the crimes of the Nazis?

How did Germans learned to remember the crimes of the Nazis?

Caregiving

Mentalization and Its Failure

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on January 1, 2021

What is mentalization and why is it important?

What is mentalization and why is it important?

Trauma

The Testimony and Teachings of Survivors

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on October 31, 2020

Trauma across generations and the sources of resilience.

Trauma across generations and the sources of resilience.

Trauma

Understanding Groups

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on August 22, 2020

How shared traumas live on in our children and monuments.

How shared traumas live on in our children and monuments.

Race and Ethnicity

Policing Race

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

How we police race shows how we construct it.

How we police race shows how we construct it.

Jealousy

Envy: The Spoiling Emotion

Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on May 16, 2020

Why it can be dangerous to be the object of another's envy.

Why it can be dangerous to be the object of another's envy.