Memory Reconsolidation and Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
posted by Mark Dombeck, Ph.D. on Jul 3rd 2009
"Therapists, like all other human beings, are guided and limited by their assumptions of what is possible. The new memory reconsolidation literature is important because it changes fundamental assumptions of what is possible to achieve. If you believe that memory is a fixed thing once it has been laid down, then you are going to work around that memory as you plan treatment options for patients who are suffering from memories. You will encourage new learning (the creation of new memories) to counter-balance and eventually outweigh the effects of older memories, for example. When you start to understand that memory is not really a fixed thing, then the possibility that you can simply go in and directly edit a troubling memory comes into reach. This is a radical possibility, fraught with potential." More...

An Interview with Keith Sutton, Psy.D. on Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Posted by David Van Nuys, Ph.D. on Jul 2nd 2009
"In this edition of the Wise Counsel Podcast, Dr. Van Nuys interviews Keith Sutton, Psy.D. on Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Dr. Sutton notes that late childhood is all about individuation, and that some level defiance at this age is age appropriate. The diagnosis of ODD occurs when normal defiance takes on an extreme character resulting in children having problems functioning at home or at school. ODD is about children's need for limit-setting. As children become more anxious about not having limits set upon them appropriate to their needs, they become more likely to act out. Dr. Sutton describes his approach to treating ODD, which involves family and individual meetings, observation of family interactions, parental education and respite, a non-blaming systemic treatment formulation, and an eclectic array of possible interventions, offered with the understanding that several will likely need to be tried as there is no single intervention that always works." More...

Diagnoses, Some Thoughts to Consider
Posted by Allan N. Schwartz, LCSW, PhD on Jul 2nd 2009
"When you have the flu, do you describe yourself as "I'm Flu?" No, you state that you have the flu or that you are fighting a virus. Can you imagine that, if you had a bout with the recent swine flu, that you would call yourself a swine?" More...

Hope: Our Greatest Antidepressant
Posted by Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. on Jul 2nd 2009
"Arguably the greatest antidepressant in the world is hope. Hope is an emotional state combined with thoughts that we truly believe we can reach certain goals and can it gives us the strength to move past adversity. Acclaimed author and Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh said "Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today." " More...

Psychotherapy - How It Works
Posted by Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT on Jul 1st 2009
"It takes guts to pick up the phone and make a therapy appointment. Rarely does anyone decide to change until the pain they're in is worse than the fear of the unknown. That's what it means to change - leaving the known of who I am and how I behave. The familiar is safe even when it hurts." More...