The GoodTherapy Blog

I made a new friend. I didn’t want to meet her. I wanted to pretend she wasn’t there, but she just wouldn’t go away. She was always with me, everywhere I went. I ignored her for months, ... Read More

The first person I ever worked with in therapy, when I was a graduate student at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Danville, Illinois, died by suicide. While my supervisor and fellow ... Read More

I do not like to suffer, and I do not like for others to suffer. I avoid unnecessary suffering as much as possible, and as a therapist I try to help people to see and stop the unintentional, ... Read More

When I think about the people I work with in therapy who struggle with issues of separation and individuation, I notice that many who are confused or conflicted about who they are and what ... Read More

As social media become more deeply entrenched in our lives, couples are experiencing both the positive and negative effects of social engagement on their relationships. Couples utilize ... Read More

Pets can offer an unmatched level of support to trauma survivors attempting to cope with the emotional aftermath of a traumatic event. A beloved and trusted pet can act as a lifeline when ... Read More

It took FOREVER to finally leave the person in your life with narcissism, only to realize that once you made that fateful decision, your name became mud. Your ex is not going to let you ... Read More

Anyone who has ever been in recovery from addiction or abuse can attest to the fact it is not easy. The process of recognizing there is a problem; increasing motivation to take control; ... Read More

We do not get to choose the content of our minds, but we certainly try. There are many things in life—inside and outside of us—we do not choose or control, and that fall short of our ... Read More

Every part of therapy can be informative. The moment you enter the room is no exception. Different therapists have different styles, but in psychodynamic work there’s usually space left ... Read More

Nowadays, people seem to be very aware of trauma, complex trauma, and both the existence and effects of posttraumatic stress (PTSD). This increased awareness can only be a good thing, but ... Read More

Feeling sad does not build bridges, nor will it win a war that needs fighting. Dedicating time to dwell on past hurts also rarely brings home a paycheck (unless you’re a therapist). In ... Read More