The GoodTherapy Blog

Parental alienation syndrome (PAS), a term coined by Richard A. Gardner in the 1980s, describes a condition—usually generated in the context of divorce or child custody disputes—in ... Read More

Making and maintaining quality friendships is hard, especially during middle and high school. Although many adolescents long to develop lifelong friends who will be loyal, trustworthy, ... Read More

Recently, I sat in session with a married couple named Dara and Mike. Speaking to one of the issues that brought them to therapy, Dara said, “Every time I tell him I don’t feel like ... Read More

“You’re such a narcissist!” If you’ve ever caught yourself saying that to someone you love, you know it’s never a compliment. “Narcissist” can be an all-purpose put-down that ... Read More

How can a committed couple in a monogamous relationship have an active and fulfilling sex life? This topic comes up regularly with people I see in treatment. Couples in my office practice ... Read More

“Memory is not a recording of an ‘image’ or a ‘trace’ but part of the process of knowing and understanding.” —Rosenfield, 1992; p.18 There are polarizing beliefs when it comes ... Read More

Although posttraumatic stress (PTSD) tends to be the issue that most often comes to mind when we consider trauma, there are a number of other responses, including depression, anxiety, substance ... Read More

People enter psychotherapy with the desire to feel better, but they are often unsure how therapy will help them accomplish this goal. A common refrain from people hesitant to enter therapy ... Read More

A racing heart and a roiling stomach. Panic attacks, nightmares, or fatigue. The body has myriad ways to manifest the many faces of trauma and fear. And for many people, getting help to ... Read More

Did you know one of the main predictors for having a substance use disorder is experiencing trauma? A quick internet search yields many definitions of trauma. I think the simplest definition ... Read More

Editor’s note: The account that follows may be upsetting for some readers. Names were changed to protect confidentiality. I was reflecting on a recent party we hosted and thought my friend ... Read More

What makes couples therapy successful? I’ve see couples move from relationship nightmare to healthy and happy within six months of counseling. In many cases, by the time the couple ends ... Read More