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In Therapy

A user's guide to psychotherapy

Therapy
Who Are You Really?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on November 1, 2023

Are you more nature or nurture? Sure, your type might matter, but you may also be impacted by the sh*t that happened to you.

Are you more nature or nurture? Sure, your type might matter, but you may also be impacted by the sh*t that happened to you.

Media
Why Is Everyone Talking About Journaling?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on July 15, 2020

In the spring of 2020, social media feeds told you it was time to start a journal "now, more than ever." Why? What's so great about journaling?

In the spring of 2020, social media feeds told you it was time to start a journal "now, more than ever." Why? What's so great about journaling?

Transference
Writing About the Talking Cure

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on March 31, 2018

The Psychology Today blogs are 10 years old this year, and so is In Therapy. Today I'm sharing a few lessons I've learned along the way.

The Psychology Today blogs are 10 years old this year, and so is In Therapy. Today I'm sharing a few lessons I've learned along the way.

Stress
How to Recommend Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 31, 2017

Therapy can be incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, we're still in a time where recommending it can seem like an insult. Here's one gentle approach.

Therapy can be incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, we're still in a time where recommending it can seem like an insult. Here's one gentle approach.

Embarrassment
9 Tips for Awkward Silences in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 29, 2017

All the good stuff has already been covered (or so it seems). Where should you go from here? What should you talk about in therapy? Awkward.

All the good stuff has already been covered (or so it seems). Where should you go from here? What should you talk about in therapy? Awkward.

Motivation
When to Quit Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 19, 2017

In an ideal world, all therapy would provide a good ending, where loose ends are tied up, take-away points are clarified, and we share a clean goodbye. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

In an ideal world, all therapy would provide a good ending, where loose ends are tied up, take-away points are clarified, and we share a clean goodbye. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Ghosting
4 Reasons Not to Ghost Your Therapist

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on January 2, 2016

Every therapist has a story or twelve about clients who seem to be connecting and doing well in therapy and then they suddenly disappear. Poof.

Every therapist has a story or twelve about clients who seem to be connecting and doing well in therapy and then they suddenly disappear. Poof.

Relationships
Disability and Humanity in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on August 12, 2015

How do physical disabilities impact psychological treatment? How do they impact the therapist? Dr. Deborah Buckwalter shares her thoughts in this Moments of Meaning video.

How do physical disabilities impact psychological treatment? How do they impact the therapist? Dr. Deborah Buckwalter shares her thoughts in this Moments of Meaning video.

Guilt
Resolving Guilt in Therapy

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on June 5, 2015

Dr. Martin Hsia describes his compassionate CBT intervention for resolving guilt in this Moments of Meaning video.

Dr. Martin Hsia describes his compassionate CBT intervention for resolving guilt in this Moments of Meaning video.

Sleep
To Screen or Not To Screen?

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on May 18, 2015

Should we keep screens away from kids? Or give them full access and let them work it out? Is there a middle ground?

Should we keep screens away from kids? Or give them full access and let them work it out? Is there a middle ground?

Wisdom
Book Review: Wisdom from the Couch

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on March 22, 2015

Dr. Jennifer Kunst shares the warmer, friendlier side of Kleinian psychology in this interview and book review.

Dr. Jennifer Kunst shares the warmer, friendlier side of Kleinian psychology in this interview and book review.