By: Lana M. Ackaway, LCSW-R, NCPsyA, CASAC

Click here to contact Lana and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

The well-written article by Daphne Merkin entitled “Darkness Invisible” in the September 16, 2007 edition of The New York Times was disturbing. It wasn’t disturbing due to its darkness. It was disappointing due to the misconceptions and insensitive comments regarding drug use/misuse. Drugs, to include alcohol misused—not only mask a depression—it can MAKE for depression and illuminate MELANCHOLY. Its use/dependency/misuse/alcoholism can, through psyche, soma, and behavior create, as Merkin quotes Chekhov: “I am in mourning for my life.” Addiction is a way to mourn for being alive—for actually living to full potential — via a never-ending depression. Alergy to alcohol—eventually produces (for some, earlier; for some, later) non-feeling states, inappropriate thinking and behavior, desperate acts, suicide—real—not imagined. Alcohol use/dependency/misuse/alcoholism/drug abuse is rampant—not only among the creative folk in film—in every walk of life—and with every socioeconomic class. It spares no one who suffers. (more…)

By: Michael Picucci, Ph.D., M.A.C., S.E.P.

Click here to contact Michael and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

Most people in the “recovery” or “therapy” process yearn for sexual healing. I make this statement as a therapist and as a human being who has facilitated myself and many others on the journey.

Sexual healing is the shame-free revisiting of complex sexual histories, limitations and perceptions combined with new awareness, understanding, and compassion. In the process of this rejuvenation, we learn how to merge our spiritual and sexual energies. The “sexual-spiritual split” is a culturally induced, deep psychic schism that haunts relationships and precludes emotional fulfillment. Resolving this powerful inner conflict is necessary for true body, mind and spirit connections. (more…)

By: Debra L. Kaplan, MA, LAC, LISAC

Not too long ago, a client who I was treating for prescription drug abuse, looked at me and said, “It’s my desperate need to silence my feelings that drives me to want to use.” She went on to describe what it felt like to live in her skin. “It’s as if the people in my life are at the controls of this rollercoaster called my life and I’m trapped and I can’t get off. I like or hate the ride based on how I feel about them at that moment; in my mind you’re either with me or against me. But I can’t fire them from the controls!” (more…)

By: Jennifer B. Baxt, LMHC, LMFT

Many people don’t like the idea of group therapy, feeling like it some how invades their privacy. However, group therapy can be extremely beneficial, for a variety of reasons, and you can even take part in group therapy through online therapy. In fact, online therapy takes a great deal of the apprehensiveness of group therapy completely out of the picture. (more…)

By: Mitchell Milch, LCSW

Click here to contact Mitchell and/or see His GoodTherapy.org Profile

We do not fall into neat little categories no matter how hard others may try to classify us. Still, in my psychotherapy practice I do notice a strong correlation between folks with chronic anger management problems and those who exhibit self defeating personality traits. These clients’ identities are often organized around a core belief that they are “victims” by virtue of the fact that they continue to suffer from parental improprieties long after growing up and leaving home. As much as these clients express sincere wishes to move forward with their lives, making these wishes a reality are easier said than done. Each and every time they are angry, the experiences feel as if salt is being poured on their incompletely healed emotional scars. They are especially resistant to the notion that their parents and themselves for that matter did and continue to do the best they can given their limitations and the support they receive from loved ones. They prefer to collect grievances and hold grudges even though such dispositions hold themselves back from breaking with their dissatisfying pasts to create more satisfying lives. With the fervor of evangelists they will settle for no less than one of the following: 1) An end to their pain and suffering, 2) An escape from their pain and suffering, 3) Revenge or 4) Special entitlements to compensate them for their misfortunes. It doesn’t matter whether they recall their parents as being miscreants of the most premeditated variety, or just very limited and clueless about what motivated apparently automatic and mindless methods of parenting. On an emotional level they hold tenaciously to demands that the justice be served. (more…)

By: Jennifer B Baxt, LMFT, LMHC

When you think about therapy, especially when it pertains to your marriage, online marriage therapy may not be something that comes to mind. However, in today’s world of ever advancing technology and where many things are based on the web, is it not only logical that online marriage therapy be an option. If you are a bit of a traditionalist, you may think that online marriage therapy will not be helpful or something that should be considered. However, there are many advantages that online marriage therapy can offer, that traditional marriage therapy, which refers going to physically visit a marriage therapist, cannot. If you, your spouse, and your marriage are having issues of any type, it is only wise to consider online marriage therapy and what it has to offer. Only then can you truly accept the help online marriage therapy can offer. (more…)

By: Matthew W. Gelber MS MFT

Click here to contact Matthew and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

Each person enters a relationship with a past history, a different set of family values or rules. While one person can easily articulate his wants and needs, another may hesitate to even touch or hug, let alone tell another how he or she feels. When individuals do not communicate with each other, either verbally or physically, both parties suffer the consequences. (more…)

By: Daniel Eckstein, Pat Love, Kristen J. Aycock, & Victor Wiesner

Click here to contact Victor and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

Abstract
Thirty-three research-referenced gender differences are explored by means of a couple’s gender-based questionnaire (CGQ). Couples take the questionnaire individually and then collaboratively choose one answer relative to whether each statement is more characteristics of males, females, or of both genders. A review of gender-related literature follows. Implications and applications to the couple themselves conclude the article. (more…)

By: Victor V. Wiesner, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, CCMHC

Click here to contact Victor and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

In classical test theory, item analysis traditionally depends on the two concepts of item difficulty and item discrimination. Item difficulty is the percentage (expressed in decimal point format) of test takers who correctly respond to a test item either by getting the answer correct or by endorsing the trait or characteristic under examination. It is reported as a p-value (ranging from 0 to 1.00) and is calculated by dividing the number of persons who correctly answered the item by the number of test takers. Higher numbers mean the question is easier. Item difficulty levels are known as p-values but this should not be confused with the same name used in connection to levels of statistical significance.
The “correct” answer for psychological assessment instruments measuring constructs would simply be an answer that endorses the construct. For example, on an instrument measuring depression, a reply that positively signifies a depressive symptom would be a correct answer. An item that queried, “Do you find yourself often discouraged?” would have a higher item difficulty level (more would “pass” it) than the question, “Do you frequently have thoughts about suicide?” (more…)