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Hollywood on the Couch

The inside scoop on Tinseltown, USA.

Health
Writers Beware! Diagnosing Characters on TV and Film

Dennis Palumbo on January 19, 2017

In many Hollywood films and TV shows, therapists are portrayed as quick to assign diagnostic labels to characters in the story with emotional distress. Here's why it's a bad idea.

In many Hollywood films and TV shows, therapists are portrayed as quick to assign diagnostic labels to characters in the story with emotional distress. Here's why it's a bad idea.

Bipolar Disorder
Breaking News: Writing is Hard!

Dennis Palumbo on February 19, 2016

Some claim that there is a link between creativity and mental health problems, but is this really true?

Some claim that there is a link between creativity and mental health problems, but is this really true?

Career
Perfect Timing, and How to Get It

Dennis Palumbo on October 30, 2014

Perfect timing is out of our control, but there are things you can do to even the odds.

Perfect timing is out of our control, but there are things you can do to even the odds.

Career
How to Get Your Film Made in Eight Short Years!

Dennis Palumbo on March 1, 2014

An interview with a man whose Hollywood dream finally came true—after eight years of blood, sweat, and tears.

An interview with a man whose Hollywood dream finally came true—after eight years of blood, sweat, and tears.

Career
Memo to a Successful Writer

Dennis Palumbo on January 12, 2014

Now that you've made it, how to keep on keeping on.

Now that you've made it, how to keep on keeping on.

Procrastination
How to Write from the Inside Out

Dennis Palumbo on October 10, 2013

A podcast interview with psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo about writers' issues

A podcast interview with psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo about writers' issues

Wisdom
Words of Wisdom (Hollywood Edition)

Dennis Palumbo on June 17, 2013

A collection of notable, inspiring quotes about the creative life

A collection of notable, inspiring quotes about the creative life

Career
Getting Out of Your Own Way

Dennis Palumbo on March 27, 2013

For a creative person, "being yourself" is simple, but not easy.

For a creative person, "being yourself" is simple, but not easy.

Career
Create Now, Critique Later

Dennis Palumbo on January 10, 2013

How to keep in mind the final product while creating in the here-and-now.

How to keep in mind the final product while creating in the here-and-now.

Self-Talk
Dealing with Your "Inner Critic"

Dennis Palumbo on May 19, 2012

Among the majority of my creative patients — TV and film writers, directors, actors, etc., a primary concern is the struggle against their “inner critic.” By that I mean the persistent, sometimes harsh and almost always shaming “voice” that belittles or invalidates their work.

Among the majority of my creative patients — TV and film writers, directors, actors, etc., a primary concern is the struggle against their “inner critic.” By that I mean the persistent, sometimes harsh and almost always shaming “voice” that belittles or invalidates their work.

Child Development
The War Between Faith and Doubt

Dennis Palumbo on May 10, 2012

A misspent childhood watching Saturday morning cartoons has left an image indelibly imprinted on my memory: a character is in conflict between doing right or wrong, prodded to do good by a tiny angel whispering in one ear, while an equally tiny devil argues the opposite position in the other.

A misspent childhood watching Saturday morning cartoons has left an image indelibly imprinted on my memory: a character is in conflict between doing right or wrong, prodded to do good by a tiny angel whispering in one ear, while an equally tiny devil argues the opposite position in the other.