Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life

That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles

Dr Misty Hook, PhD — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:12:42 +0000

The Girl Scouts are currently surrounded by controversy and some people are calling for a cookie boycott. Instead of fighting them, their opponents should take a page out of the Girl Scout handbook and learn how to deal appropriately with prejudice.

Tags: ethics, parenting and children, politics, society

Time for Change

Gordon Shippey — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:02:11 +0000

Clients give me all sorts of excuses for why they don't reach their goals. One of the most popular is "I don't have the time." Lately, I've started believing them.

Tags: responsibility, tools, work-life

How to Tell When Therapy Won’t Work

Dr George Simon, PhD — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:49:54 +0000

Learn to recognize these three red flags that the therapeutic process isn't likely to work for a character disturbed individual in your life. Successful therapy for character disturbance does not depend on any of the these mainstays of traditional therapy, like focusing on feelings, trying to 'see' what the person is doing, or working on fears and insecurities and self-esteem issues. Part 3 of a series.

Tags: CBT, character disturbance, personality disorders, relationships, therapy

How to Find a Therapist Who Can Help With Character Disturbance

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:16:50 +0000

Whether as a couple or as an individual, keep these three things in mind to increase your chances of finding and working with a therapist who will actually be able to help with disturbed characters in your life and relationships. Part 2 of a series.

Tags: CBT, character disturbance, personality disorders, therapy

Getting the Right Kind of Help With Character Disturbance

Dr George Simon, PhD — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:51:49 +0000

It is extremely difficult to manage character-disturbed individuals -- for those who are in relationships with them and also for therapists trying to help. This is Part 1 of a three-part series on how to get the right kind of help with character disturbance, including tips for finding therapy that works, plus red flags that indicate when it probably won't.

Tags: character disturbance, personality disorders, therapy

Rethinking “Stinking Thinking”

Gordon Shippey — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:38:40 +0000

Beginning in the 1950s, Albert Ellis laid the foundations for a major portion of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with his colorful descriptions of negative thought patterns, descriptions that remain useful to the present day. Yet these venerable tools also have their limitations and misuses.

Tags: CBT, emotions, in practice, mindful awareness, society, therapy

Searching for What Forged the Iron Lady

Dr Misty Hook, PhD — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:29:19 +0000

The Iron Lady, the new movie about Margaret Thatcher, did not live up to its potential. Perhaps if they had focused on what it was like for her to be both a mother and a woman in power they might have made a more interesting movie.

Tags: parenting and children, reviews, women

The Moving Target of Technical Literacy

Gordon Shippey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:11:29 +0000

In the eighties, I made it a point to become 'computer literate'. In today's world of tablets and smart phones, 'computer literacy' begins to take on a new and shifting definition.

Tags: history, intelligence, technology

The Meaning of ‘Life’

Dr Misty Hook, PhD — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:27:03 +0000

Although popular culture is often banal, there is worthwhile meaning embedded in this television show, including some Zen lessons on letting go of resentment, seeking justice instead of revenge, managing anger, achieving acceptance when times seem dark, and recognizing our connection with others.

Tags: anger, emotions, meaning, mindful awareness, society, zen

Psychopathy: Is It Really Everywhere?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:37:50 +0000

The term character disturbance describes a continuum of disturbed personality types. Psychopathy, or sociopathy, is the severest form of personality disorder at one extreme end of the range. Not everyone with a character disturbance is a psychopath.

Tags: character disturbance, personality disorders, society