Verified by Psychology Today

Beyond Freud

A dose of common sense.

Transference
Countertransference and Children With Severe Irritability

Leon Hoffman M.D. on April 23, 2024

Children who have severe irritability can exhibit disruptive behaviors. They are expert in triggering a clinician's buttons and intensifying the clinician's countertransference.

Children who have severe irritability can exhibit disruptive behaviors. They are expert in triggering a clinician's buttons and intensifying the clinician's countertransference.

Psychiatry
How Obsessive-Compulsiveness Affects Psychiatry and Psychology

Lawrence D. Blum M.D. on March 7, 2022

Most professionals benefit from having some obsessive-compulsive traits. These traits have advantages and disadvantages, both of which have had a profound influence on our field.

Most professionals benefit from having some obsessive-compulsive traits. These traits have advantages and disadvantages, both of which have had a profound influence on our field.

Memory
Memories Are Forever

Leon Hoffman M.D. on July 9, 2021

'Shtisel' is a fictional depiction of complex family interactions, losses, as well as hopes for the future. The impact of memories of those who have died, both positive and negative, are present.

'Shtisel' is a fictional depiction of complex family interactions, losses, as well as hopes for the future. The impact of memories of those who have died, both positive and negative, are present.

Resilience
Resilience ("Ordinary Magic") in School-Aged Children

Leon Hoffman M.D. on December 31, 2020

Resilience has been called “ordinary magic”: It's the ability to adapt to various stresses in life. Helping a child deal with negative emotions is a good way to promote his resilience.

Resilience has been called “ordinary magic”: It's the ability to adapt to various stresses in life. Helping a child deal with negative emotions is a good way to promote his resilience.

Defense Mechanisms
How Children Cope During the Pandemic

Leon Hoffman M.D. on December 29, 2020

Understanding defense mechanisms: A parent can help the child by reflecting and moving away from denial and disavowal, becoming available for affiliation and promoting sublimation

Understanding defense mechanisms: A parent can help the child by reflecting and moving away from denial and disavowal, becoming available for affiliation and promoting sublimation

Beauty
The Importance of Beauty Salons in the Age of COVID-19

Leon Hoffman M.D. on May 11, 2020

People need to take care of their bodies (how they look, how they think they look, and how they feel): beauty salons, barbers, hair salons, and gymnasiums are very important.

People need to take care of their bodies (how they look, how they think they look, and how they feel): beauty salons, barbers, hair salons, and gymnasiums are very important.

Anxiety
Anxiety During COVID-19

Leon Hoffman M.D. on May 10, 2020

First and foremost, listen. When someone is anxious and wants to share, they are looking for a listening ear.

First and foremost, listen. When someone is anxious and wants to share, they are looking for a listening ear.

Career
Navigating Mother's Day in 2020

Leon Hoffman M.D. on May 9, 2020

A mother's inner conflict over her own personal wishes as well as her feelings toward her children can cause guilt and anxiety. Understanding this is the key to balance.

A mother's inner conflict over her own personal wishes as well as her feelings toward her children can cause guilt and anxiety. Understanding this is the key to balance.

Psychoanalysis
A Novel Way to Teach Psychoanalysis

Lawrence D. Blum M.D. on April 8, 2020

Classic children's literature and child psychoanalytic case studies provide the most direct way to learn about child development and basic psychoanalytic principles.

Classic children's literature and child psychoanalytic case studies provide the most direct way to learn about child development and basic psychoanalytic principles.