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...

3 Reasons You May Want Group Therapy
Posted by Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. on Jun 30th 2009
"In my time as a Psychologist I have really come to realize the benefits of group therapy. What is group therapy? Group therapy is exactly what it sounds like, a group of people coming together for the benefit of some therapy. There are groups that are more general ongoing groups and focused on people learning to express themselves and dealing with whatever issues arise. There are also time-limited groups that are designed to work with specific issues such as groups for anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, etc... Here are 3 benefits of group therapy:" More...