The Skeptical Shrink

Intuition

Quarks, Quasars and the Mind: Stranger Than We Suppose

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on May 9, 2017

Any account of the mind that conveniently dovetails with our common sense should be met with skepticism.

Any account of the mind that conveniently dovetails with our common sense should be met with skepticism.

Psychiatry

The Self Illusion and Psychotherapy

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on March 21, 2017

The self is an illusion and, as I noted in a recent paper published in Australasian Psychiatry, we can tailor psychotherapy to highjack the mechanisms that create it.

The self is an illusion and, as I noted in a recent paper published in Australasian Psychiatry, we can tailor psychotherapy to highjack the mechanisms that create it.

Health

Changing Minds on Meat Eating

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on November 25, 2016

Effective animal advocacy is turning to empirical research for guidance.

Effective animal advocacy is turning to empirical research for guidance.

Mindfulness

I Think, Therefore I'll Die

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on September 28, 2016

For many, the afterlife offers the quintessential form of closing the eyes and blocking the ears. But for people like myself who do not subscribe to the stories, what are we to do?

For many, the afterlife offers the quintessential form of closing the eyes and blocking the ears. But for people like myself who do not subscribe to the stories, what are we to do?

Psychiatry

Why We Should Stop Avoiding the Word "Patient" in Psychiatry

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on August 23, 2016

Calling psychiatric patients "consumer" and "client" is misguided.

Calling psychiatric patients "consumer" and "client" is misguided.

Psychiatry

Not All Muslims? Not All Mental Illness Either.

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on July 6, 2016

Yes, moderate Muslims are too often painted with the same brush as jihadists, but people with mental illness are no more monochromatic than the Muslim world.

Yes, moderate Muslims are too often painted with the same brush as jihadists, but people with mental illness are no more monochromatic than the Muslim world.

Spirituality

How Secular Spirituality Inspires Effective Psychotherapy

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on April 7, 2016

People of incompatible faiths have reported profound spiritual experiences—secular meditation distills what is essential. Can we extract what is necessary from psychotherapy?

People of incompatible faiths have reported profound spiritual experiences—secular meditation distills what is essential. Can we extract what is necessary from psychotherapy?

Psychiatry

Why Psychiatry Should Discard the Idea of Free Will

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on March 30, 2016

If psychiatry is a medicine of the mind, but our common ideas of the mind are wrong, where does that leave the medicine?

If psychiatry is a medicine of the mind, but our common ideas of the mind are wrong, where does that leave the medicine?

Free Will

The Illusion of Free Will and Mental Illness Stigma

Steve Stankevicius M.D. on March 17, 2016

Why we prefer needing the help of a neurologist rather than a psychiatrist.

Why we prefer needing the help of a neurologist rather than a psychiatrist.