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The Psyche as an Open World Game: Why AI Therapy’s Infinite Conversations May Be Missing the Point
The author, a seasoned clinician, discusses the potential and risks of AI in mental health therapy. While AI offers limitless exploration and support, it can lead to overwhelming experiences for clients, bypassing essential therapeutic structures. A proposed solution includes interactive therapeutic stories that maintain boundaries while allowing meaningful exploration, emphasizing the need for guidance and clarity in therapy.
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Hidden in Personeum
I’ll tell you a secret. I mean, it used to be a secret to me—until… Okay, I’ll go back a bit. The Person and The Story First, I have always been drawn to the question of what it means to be a person. Secondly, stories have always been my way of understanding truth—not in a
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To Learn Is to Burgle
A lesson from the earth and Bilbo Baggins The earth doesn’t beg permission to grow. Think of the roots, right now as we speak, prying dry stones apart, silently, relentlessly, as they get what they need in the dark. There is a characterization of learning as a gift handed down in classrooms with maps drawn
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Creating as a Path to Joy and Wholeness
Creating, in any form, has a unique ability to lift our mood and foster a healthy view of ourselves. J.R.R. Tolkien called us “sub-creators,” reflecting our God-given ability to create beauty and meaning within the larger framework of existence. When we engage in art, we tap into this profound truth about our nature: that we
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Are You Talking About the “Right” Thing in Therapy?
It’s not uncommon for clients to wonder during therapy sessions, “Am I talking about the right thing? Should I be focusing on something else?” These questions are natural, but they might also reflect a misunderstanding of how therapy works at a deeper level. Therapy is about so much more than the specific topics being discussed.
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The Cost of Miscalculation: When Good Intentions Lead to Resentment
You had the best intentions. You saw the situation clearly, considered the options, and made what felt like the right decision. You chose to give something up—willingly, even gladly—because it made sense at the time. Maybe it seemed like a small thing. Maybe you believed it wouldn’t matter much in the long run. And then
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What Happens When You Come to Therapy Unprepared?
It’s a common concern for many clients: What if I show up to therapy and don’t know what to talk about? What if I run out of things to say? If this sounds familiar, it’s important to know that this is not a failure on your part. In fact, moments like these can be some
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What is a Pragmatic Eclectic Framework?
A pragmatic eclectic framework is a flexible approach to psychotherapy in which psychologists borrow techniques and principles from multiple theoretical orientations, tailoring their methods to the unique needs of each client. Instead of adhering strictly to one school of thought, psychologists integrate a variety of therapeutic tools and strategies to provide the most effective and
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Balancing Transparency in Professional Services
Finding the Right Level of Openness Providing professional services—especially those involving both technical and creative work—often comes with the challenge of managing client expectations while juggling multiple projects. Professionals may feel torn between wanting to be transparent about their workload and creating an experience where each client feels like they are the sole focus of
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my life – a meditation
This Day This morning at the start,I stand inside this day,which is my life.I have memories of yesterday.I have hopes and dreamsand even fears of tomorrow. But those things are not my life today.All of this around meand before me,all that encompasses me todayis my life,and I will live it as my life,as the person
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Understanding the Shift in Best Practices for Emotional Support Animal Evaluations
In the evolving landscape of mental health care, the criteria and ethical standards for providing evaluations for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) have undergone significant changes. As a dedicated mental health professional, it is imperative to adhere to these evolving standards to ensure the highest quality of care for our clients. However, the process of certifying
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If you can keep listening…
The following is an excerpt from a journey leading from injury to healing. It may not be where you are but I believe it is where you can be one day. So as you read it, take into account that many days of listening to your heart may be needed before your heart can finally
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Your Thoughts
I want to talk to you about something you wish I didn’t know – it’s about things you wish YOU didn’t know. To be more accurate I should say “things you wish you didn’t think.” Yes, those thoughts. You sometimes find those thoughts in your mind, thoughts you wish weren’t there. You didn’t invite them
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Someone else’s image of you
I’ve been listening to what you say about yourself. I really have no choice you know. I’m here and I hear it. But worse than that… you hear it. That unflattering estimation, pieced together from certain experiences. Sometimes the words are all that you have left from those experiences. It’s not even a whole memory,
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Insiders Wanted
I can finally tell you about the Insider Club. I have a new book contract with a publisher. The ink isn’t dry on the contact yet so I’m going to keep the details to a minimum. I mentioned in a previous post that it’s a new book loosely inspired by people’s feedback on “things i
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A Forager’s Guide to Emotional Botany
Ok, that title is a little over the top. Sorry about that. This isn’t anywhere near a definitive guide to anything, only an exploration of what I find to be an interesting conceptualization of the work we need to do to keep ourselves psychologically healthy. Much like a forager in the wilderness, we should work