Drawing the Curtains Back

Free Will

The Question of Free Will in Psychotherapy (and Out of It)

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on January 2, 2024

Even if scientists show that people’s actions are biologically determined, we are well-advised to treat free will as real.

Even if scientists show that people’s actions are biologically determined, we are well-advised to treat free will as real.

Therapy

Negative Capability in Client-Centered Psychotherapy

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on October 18, 2023

It is as vital for a psychotherapist as for a poet to keep an open and receptive mind.

It is as vital for a psychotherapist as for a poet to keep an open and receptive mind.

Decision-Making

Avoiding Risk Is Risky Business

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on August 3, 2023

Intelligent risk-taking is essential to a fulfilling life.

Intelligent risk-taking is essential to a fulfilling life.

Empathy

How to Judge Without Being Judgmental

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The difference between judging and being judgmental is empathy.

A Personal Perspective: The difference between judging and being judgmental is empathy.

Humor

The Many Benefits of Laughing at Ourselves

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on March 22, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Laughter offers a pleasurable path out of the quagmire of hypersensitivity.

A Personal Perspective: Laughter offers a pleasurable path out of the quagmire of hypersensitivity.

Politics

How to Argue Honorably

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on January 21, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Our country is badly divided. Arguing honorably can help bring us together.

A Personal Perspective: Our country is badly divided. Arguing honorably can help bring us together.

Testosterone

How Testosterone Is the Jekyll and Hyde of Hormones

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on December 20, 2022

Boys and young men are floundering. How can we help?

Boys and young men are floundering. How can we help?

Health

The Dangers of Unfree Speech

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on November 18, 2022

A Personal Perspective: The curtailing of free speech imperils mental health and the whole Western way of life.

A Personal Perspective: The curtailing of free speech imperils mental health and the whole Western way of life.

Left Brain - Right Brain

How Can We Think Most Effectively?

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

To improve your quality of thought, let your right brain be the General; the left, its able aide.

To improve your quality of thought, let your right brain be the General; the left, its able aide.

Health

Nihilism Wreaks Havoc on Mental Health, the Antidote Is Joy

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on September 2, 2022

When we feel joy, the meaning of life becomes self-evident.

When we feel joy, the meaning of life becomes self-evident.

Depression

An Increase in Nihilism Plays Havoc With Mental Health

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on August 26, 2022

A Personal Perspective: To counter our current plague of anxiety and depression, we need to find sources of meaning, even in the absence of God.

A Personal Perspective: To counter our current plague of anxiety and depression, we need to find sources of meaning, even in the absence of God.

Relationships

Power Dynamics in Relationships Between Men

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on July 22, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Interactions between men involve complex and often unacknowledged power assessments and negotiations.

A Personal Perspective: Interactions between men involve complex and often unacknowledged power assessments and negotiations.

Anxiety

The Thrill of Thrillers

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on June 21, 2022

Thrillers give our oldest instincts a chance to stand, stretch, and remind our modern selves, "I'm still here."

Thrillers give our oldest instincts a chance to stand, stretch, and remind our modern selves, "I'm still here."

Punishment

Infidelity as Revenge

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on May 20, 2022

Infidelity may be motivated not by irresistible desire but by a wish to take revenge.

Infidelity may be motivated not by irresistible desire but by a wish to take revenge.

Narcissism

Narcissism: Considered Diagnosis or Easy Insult?

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on April 20, 2022

Narcissistic personality disorder is a serious problem, but the tendency to see it everywhere can cause people to imagine plots and peril where none exists.

Narcissistic personality disorder is a serious problem, but the tendency to see it everywhere can cause people to imagine plots and peril where none exists.

Psychopathy

The Problem of Psychopathy

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on March 22, 2022

Psychopathy presents an ongoing, seemingly ineradicable threat to society. Just as it’s hard to accept that a disease is incurable, it’s hard to accept that psychopathy may be the same.

Psychopathy presents an ongoing, seemingly ineradicable threat to society. Just as it’s hard to accept that a disease is incurable, it’s hard to accept that psychopathy may be the same.

Empathy

Coming to Grips With Cruelty in the World

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on February 21, 2022

A Personal Perspective: To minimize our human propensity toward cruelty, we must understand our predatory instincts and develop our sense of empathy.

A Personal Perspective: To minimize our human propensity toward cruelty, we must understand our predatory instincts and develop our sense of empathy.

Health

Get to Know Your "Dark Side" Through Stories

Charles Harper Webb Ph.D. on January 25, 2022

To be your best, most fully human self, make an ally of your "dark side."

To be your best, most fully human self, make an ally of your "dark side."