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Straight Talk

Cutting through the spin on psychotherapy and mental health

Authenticity
Authenticity American Style

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on March 24, 2018

The perception of Trump as authentic because he is often unscripted and says politically incorrect things, raises important questions about the meaning of authenticity.

The perception of Trump as authentic because he is often unscripted and says politically incorrect things, raises important questions about the meaning of authenticity.

Attention
Therapeutic Alliance Ruptures

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on January 23, 2018

Research indicates that the therapeutic alliance is more important than the brand of therapy. Skillful therapists can address "alliance ruptures" constructively.

Research indicates that the therapeutic alliance is more important than the brand of therapy. Skillful therapists can address "alliance ruptures" constructively.

Replication Crisis
Replication Problems in Psychology

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on November 15, 2015

A major research study recently found that many well known findings in psychology are difficult to replicate.This study and the media attention it has received have led to a considerable stir within the field. While some minimize the importance of these findings, they do rekindle longstanding debates about what kind of 'science' psychology is.

A major research study recently found that many well known findings in psychology are difficult to replicate.This study and the media attention it has received have led to a considerable stir within the field. While some minimize the importance of these findings, they do rekindle longstanding debates about what kind of 'science' psychology is.

Motivation
Is it Time to Fire My Therapist?

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on November 24, 2014

Even the most beneficial therapies often undergo rough or discouraging patches, and working through these periods can be one of most beneficial aspects of the treatment. But how can you know when it's worth sticking it out and when it's time to find a new therapist?

Even the most beneficial therapies often undergo rough or discouraging patches, and working through these periods can be one of most beneficial aspects of the treatment. But how can you know when it's worth sticking it out and when it's time to find a new therapist?

Authenticity
The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on October 22, 2014

The search for authenticity is a distinctive feature of contemporary culture. But what does authenticity mean in a consumer culture where products and brands are marketed on the basis of their claims to authenticity? And what does it mean when self-help books preach the gospel of authenticity with the goal of helping people to improve their value in the social market?

The search for authenticity is a distinctive feature of contemporary culture. But what does authenticity mean in a consumer culture where products and brands are marketed on the basis of their claims to authenticity? And what does it mean when self-help books preach the gospel of authenticity with the goal of helping people to improve their value in the social market?

Placebo
It's All in Your Head, Or Is It?

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on January 7, 2014

One of the most common forms of knee surgery in the United States is no more effective than a placebo treatment.

One of the most common forms of knee surgery in the United States is no more effective than a placebo treatment.

Psychoanalysis
Is Freud Still Dead?

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on November 13, 2013

The current marginalization of psychoanalysis is ironically helping it to recover some of its constructively critical, culturally subversive and socially progressive roots.

The current marginalization of psychoanalysis is ironically helping it to recover some of its constructively critical, culturally subversive and socially progressive roots.

Positive Psychology
Don't Worry... Be Happy!

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on June 19, 2013

Positive psychology is concerned with understanding the positive, adaptive, and emotionally fulfilling aspects of of human behavior. The emphasis is on nurturing creativity, talent and resilience rather than focusing on mental disorders. This development has been embraced enthusiastically by many, and for good reasons. But could there be a dark side to positive psychology?

Positive psychology is concerned with understanding the positive, adaptive, and emotionally fulfilling aspects of of human behavior. The emphasis is on nurturing creativity, talent and resilience rather than focusing on mental disorders. This development has been embraced enthusiastically by many, and for good reasons. But could there be a dark side to positive psychology?

DSM
Psychiatry in the News

Jeremy D. Safran Ph.D. on June 6, 2013

Recent changes in policy at the National Institute of Mental Health mean that despite the large and growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of a variety of different forms of psychotherapy for a range of problems, we are likely to continue to see a decreasing availability of the already diminishing resources that can provide high quality psychotherapy.

Recent changes in policy at the National Institute of Mental Health mean that despite the large and growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of a variety of different forms of psychotherapy for a range of problems, we are likely to continue to see a decreasing availability of the already diminishing resources that can provide high quality psychotherapy.