Putting Psyche Back Into Psychotherapy

Wisdom

We Won’t Have Time to Do or Be Everything

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on November 8, 2024

Personal Perspective: Realizing we will die before we can fulfill all of our dreams and plans is a hard but necessary truth to face. Here's why.

Personal Perspective: Realizing we will die before we can fulfill all of our dreams and plans is a hard but necessary truth to face. Here's why.

Confidence

Why It’s So Annoying to Be Told How Things Are

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on October 13, 2024

It's often off-putting when someone presents their opinion as if it's a fact. The concept of "master talk" could help us understand why.

It's often off-putting when someone presents their opinion as if it's a fact. The concept of "master talk" could help us understand why.

Relationships

How to Zero Out Your Relationship Negativity

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on September 13, 2024

Are you stuck in negative communication patterns with your partner? Try this simple (but not easy) exercise to eliminate the toxic talk from your relationship.

Are you stuck in negative communication patterns with your partner? Try this simple (but not easy) exercise to eliminate the toxic talk from your relationship.

Relationships

Do You Have a Frozen Image of Your Partner?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on August 5, 2024

Locking your partner into a frozen, negative image is destructive to your relationship. There are simple steps you can take to melt frozen images and allow for intimacy.

Locking your partner into a frozen, negative image is destructive to your relationship. There are simple steps you can take to melt frozen images and allow for intimacy.

Growth Mindset

What Happens to Old Friends With New Personal Growth?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on July 17, 2024

Becoming more conscious will change the way you are in the world and may make you leave old friends behind. It’s natural to be anxious in this transition.

Becoming more conscious will change the way you are in the world and may make you leave old friends behind. It’s natural to be anxious in this transition.

Relationships

Why Intimacy Is Threatening

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on June 5, 2024

Couples struggle to stay connected while maintaining a household. Yet hiding beneath this existential truth lies an emotional truth equally important: intimacy is threatening.

Couples struggle to stay connected while maintaining a household. Yet hiding beneath this existential truth lies an emotional truth equally important: intimacy is threatening.

Ethics and Morality

Are You Humble or a Sucker?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on May 2, 2024

We’re all told how we’re supposed to be humble. Does that mean we’re never supposed to speak up? How are we supposed to translate this value into our everyday lives?

We’re all told how we’re supposed to be humble. Does that mean we’re never supposed to speak up? How are we supposed to translate this value into our everyday lives?

Therapy

Why Is Everyone Talking About Psychedelics?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

A therapist breaks down what psychedelics can do that talk therapy cannot.

A therapist breaks down what psychedelics can do that talk therapy cannot.

Authenticity

What Nesting Dolls Have to Do With High School Reunions

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on March 1, 2024

Why do you show up as an insecure teen when you attend a class reunion, even though you’re confident today? Russian nesting dolls can help you understand.

Why do you show up as an insecure teen when you attend a class reunion, even though you’re confident today? Russian nesting dolls can help you understand.

Relationships

The Gift of Confrontation

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on February 1, 2024

Sometimes the greatest act of friendship can be telling someone a hard truth. How can you do this in a way that preserves a relationship, rather than damaging it?

Sometimes the greatest act of friendship can be telling someone a hard truth. How can you do this in a way that preserves a relationship, rather than damaging it?

Emotional Intelligence

The Agony and Ecstasy of Victimhood

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on January 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: While there is such a thing as true victimhood, most of us need to move on and take responsibility for our lives. Here are some ways you can do that.

Personal Perspective: While there is such a thing as true victimhood, most of us need to move on and take responsibility for our lives. Here are some ways you can do that.

Gender

Men Need to Spend Time With Men

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Men need to recognize and act on their need to spend time with other men.

A Personal Perspective: Men need to recognize and act on their need to spend time with other men.

Aging

Aging Men and the Male Freakout

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on September 8, 2023

Men threatened with losing control may respond by trying to exert greater control. Getting comfortable with less control holds more promise and power and is a gift of aging.

Men threatened with losing control may respond by trying to exert greater control. Getting comfortable with less control holds more promise and power and is a gift of aging.

Grief

The Grief of Growing Older

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

Personal Perspective: Most of us of a certain age are waking up to the reality that we’re going to die.

Personal Perspective: Most of us of a certain age are waking up to the reality that we’re going to die.

Relationships

Why Some People Keep Pushing Their Partner's Buttons

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on May 12, 2023

Triggers in a relationship are opportunities for growth. A failure to understand why you get triggered in your relationship will only lead to the feeling getting stronger.

Triggers in a relationship are opportunities for growth. A failure to understand why you get triggered in your relationship will only lead to the feeling getting stronger.

Child Development

Are You a “Because” Person?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

“I can’t do that because….” Is a frequent statement we make, just before we give up on some important part of ourselves. Shrinking ourselves in this way is a recipe for misery.

“I can’t do that because….” Is a frequent statement we make, just before we give up on some important part of ourselves. Shrinking ourselves in this way is a recipe for misery.

Marriage

Natural Monogamy: Does It Exist?

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Do you struggle with staying monogamous? Are you with a partner who pushes boundaries in a way you’re not comfortable with? Congrats—you’re married.

Do you struggle with staying monogamous? Are you with a partner who pushes boundaries in a way you’re not comfortable with? Congrats—you’re married.

Career

Aging Men Speak Out About Avoiding Irrelevance

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

A recent series on how men can maintain relevance as they age has sparked a number of suggestions from readers who are aging men themselves. Learn from their hard-won wisdom.

A recent series on how men can maintain relevance as they age has sparked a number of suggestions from readers who are aging men themselves. Learn from their hard-won wisdom.

Therapy

How Men Can Find New Purpose as They Age

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on January 18, 2023

Older men want to know how to connect to their inner world as their outer world loses its importance. The best answer I have: Get therapy.

Older men want to know how to connect to their inner world as their outer world loses its importance. The best answer I have: Get therapy.

Career

Aging Men and Irrelevance

Josh Gressel Ph.D. on January 8, 2023

Personal Perspective: Men may need more awareness of their inner world as they age. The inner world is the “final frontier.”

Personal Perspective: Men may need more awareness of their inner world as they age. The inner world is the “final frontier.”