Friday, September 12, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Specific Phobia
Do You Know Your Phobias?
A "Specific Phobia" is an Anxiety Disorder marked by a persistent fear of a specific object or situation. The person with this disorder realizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable. Being exposed to the feared object or situation provokes an immediate anxiety response and people will go to great lengths to avoid it. It is estimated that about 13% of individuals will experience a Specific Phobia at some point during life.Be a Better You
Friday, June 13, 2014
Psychology Books
June 2014 Book Giveaways
Here are the 4 books I've given away this month. If you would like a similar one simply sign up for my email newsletter at the bottom of the page! It's easy, free, and fun. Check out my previous newsletters but clicking on the "view previous campaigns" link.
"The Holographic Mind" - By Stanislov Grof with Zina Bennet
"The Patient Who Cured His Therapist: And Other Stories of Unconventional Therapy" - by Stanley Siegel, with Ed Lowe
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" - by Mark Haddon
"Mind Science: And East-West Dialogue" - The Dalai Lama et al.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Choosing a Therapist
How to Choose a Therapist
Choosing a therapist is an important decision. It is not as important as choosing who you marry, but it is more important than which restaurant you go to for dinner tonight. Finding a good enough therapist for you can have a profound impact on the course of your life. Whether you are struggling with debilitating anxiety and depression or you simply want to learn more about yourself and the way you operate, here are a few thoughts to help guide you through the process.
1. Ask people who know you well for a referral. The best referrals I get for psychotherapy are from people who know me well professionally and who know the potential patient well personally. Research repeatedly supports the idea that the therapist/patient match is one of the most important factors in predicting a successful treatment outcome.
2. Shop around (but not too much). It is fine and common practice to call a few therapists and even meet with them in person before making your decision. Going alphabetically through the phone book and calling every single therapist in town, however, won’t serve you well (and it might also be part of your problem!). Keep in mind that “the best therapist in town” might not be the best one for you.
3. Rapport and fit is more important than degree or title. You should feel relatively comfortable with your therapist. Educate yourself on the types of degrees (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., M.S., LPC, LMSW, etc.) but don’t use that as a main criteria. Stick with someone who is licenced by the State in their field of practice. This information is easily obtained from online State government websites. Keep in mind, for example, that in the State of Michigan the titles “Psychotherapist” or “Therapist” are not state licensed ones. Many practitioners might refer to themselves as psychotherapists out of convention, but they also have the licensed title of “Psychologist”, “Psychiatrist”, “Licensed Master Social Worker”, or others.
4. Pay attention to first impressions, but consider second impressions as well. If you are on the fence after a first meeting go back for a second or even third one and try to keep an open mind. Going to therapy can be difficult and people often find reasons for it to not work out. That said, if your first impression of the therapist is a strong negative one don’t be afraid to abandon ship.
5. Consider the cost of therapy, but also consider the cost of NOT going to therapy. The cost of therapy can range from zero to substantial depending on your insurance and the therapist’s status as either an in-network or out-of-network provider. The cost of not going to therapy could be: a failed marriage, a lost job, an estranged relationship with a parent, or anything in between. If you find yourself in a situation where your insurance won’t pay anything for the therapist you want to see (or you have no insurance) it is okay to ask the therapist to negotiate a reduced fee. Be prepared to hear “No”. Not all therapists are able or willing to do this, but few would find this question inappropriate. If you drive up in a luxury sports car or have a vacation estate in the South of France I would skip this step. Ultimately, if the therapist’s fee is truly prohibitive there are places to get quality treatment on a sliding fee scale. Contact me and I will help you locate them.
6. Don’t be afraid to call it quits. If you have concerns about the direction of an ongoing therapy, talk to your therapist. This can be difficult or uncomfortable, but it might actually be an important part of your work. If your therapist seems unwilling to consider your concerns or “blames” you for the lack of progress in treatment, it is probably time to call it quits. While occasionally even really good therapists get defensive when things aren’t going well (we are human after all), this shouldn’t be the therapist’s prevailing mood. Give your therapist, and yourself, a chance to collaborate and creatively address a therapeutic impasse.
Good luck! If you would like to learn more please contact me. I would be happy to speak with you. To be notified of future blog postings or announcements please consider signing up for my mailing list. New subscribers will receive a free psychology book (see my previous blog for details).
Monday, May 12, 2014
Psychology Book Giveaway
Mystery Psychology Book Giveaway
stevenjhanleyphd.com
"With a library it is easier to hope for serendipity than to look for a precise answer." -- Lemony Snicket, When Did You See Her Last?
Life is full of surprises and sometimes we don't know what we are looking for until we find it.
In that spirit I will be giving away at least 10 books from my current psychology related library. Everyone who subscribes wins! All you have to do is subscribe to my "Psychology on the Mind" e-newsletter. If I can scrounge up some more books I will go beyond 10. Anyone beyond the first 10 who subscribes will get an American Psychological Association Mind/Body Health Magnet - a small but fun and interactive mental wellness reminder to put on your fridge at home or file cabinet at work.
Part of the fun is that you won't know what you'll get until it arrives in you mailbox. All books are related to psychology or mental health in some way. The book you receive may change your life or serve as a coaster. If it is not for you, it might be for someone else in your life. So, take a chance, pay it forward, and enjoy.
I will deliver, free of charge, to any U.S. or Canadian mailing address. Your email will never be shared with anyone. You can check out the first two newsletters below by clicking "view previous campaigns."
Once you subscribe you'll be sent an email asking you to prove (by clicking a box) that you aren't a robot. Once confirmed I will email you for your shipping address. This offer stands while supplies last.
In that spirit I will be giving away at least 10 books from my current psychology related library. Everyone who subscribes wins! All you have to do is subscribe to my "Psychology on the Mind" e-newsletter. If I can scrounge up some more books I will go beyond 10. Anyone beyond the first 10 who subscribes will get an American Psychological Association Mind/Body Health Magnet - a small but fun and interactive mental wellness reminder to put on your fridge at home or file cabinet at work.
Part of the fun is that you won't know what you'll get until it arrives in you mailbox. All books are related to psychology or mental health in some way. The book you receive may change your life or serve as a coaster. If it is not for you, it might be for someone else in your life. So, take a chance, pay it forward, and enjoy.
I will deliver, free of charge, to any U.S. or Canadian mailing address. Your email will never be shared with anyone. You can check out the first two newsletters below by clicking "view previous campaigns."
Once you subscribe you'll be sent an email asking you to prove (by clicking a box) that you aren't a robot. Once confirmed I will email you for your shipping address. This offer stands while supplies last.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Sigmund Freud Book Giveaway
Sigmund Freud Book Giveaway
stevenjhanleyphd.com
PRIZE 1: The Sigmund Freud Scholar Pack includes two collections of Freud's original works and a third edited volume of Freud critiques (some withering). With the information in these books you should feel comfortable debating either side of Freud at a cocktail party.
PRIZE 2: The Sigmund Freud Teaser Pack includes one small, but important Freud treatise about psychoanalysis. This should give you enough to decided if you want to learn more.
Most of the people I know in the psychology business have strong feelings about Sigmund Freud. Some view his ideas and writings as the cornerstone of their clinical practice of psychotherapy. Other's find his theories to be offensive, dead wrong, and a product of an "ancient" time that has no relevance to the study of human behavior today. The fact remains that Sigmund Freud permeates many areas of academic inquiry, art, and popular culture. So, why not get to know a little bit more about what he had to say and decide for yourself where (or if) Freud fits in.
There are two book giveaways being offered here. From my personal collection, these books are gently used and lovingly annotated. Descriptions of each Prize Pack are listed below the rafflecopter entry box. There are several ways to enter to increase your chances of winning. As always, free means free. I will cover shipping costs (US and Canada only). Good Luck!
PRIZE 1: The Sigmund Freud Scholar Pack includes two collections of Freud's original works and a third edited volume of Freud critiques (some withering). With the information in these books you should feel comfortable debating either side of Freud at a cocktail party.
Book 1: "New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis" - This is a great introduction to many of Freud's main contributions including: psychoanalytic theory, anxiety, the drives, dreams and more.
Book 2: "Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria" - This was Freud's first and probably most controversial published "Case History" about and 18 year old woman. Described as a "first rate detective novel," Freud, "pursues the secrets of Dora's psyche by using as clues her nervous mannerisms ... and the content of her dreams." (back cover)
Book 3: "Unauthorized Freud: Doubters Confront a Legend" - Edited by Frederick C. Crews. Of this collection, Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. states, "Psychoanalysis was mythology masquerading as science. Frederick Crews's superb new book unravels the many layers of pontification and surmise to convince even the most ardent followers of Freud that they have been - to put it bluntly - duped." (back cover)
PRIZE 2: The Sigmund Freud Teaser Pack includes one small, but important Freud treatise about psychoanalysis. This should give you enough to decided if you want to learn more.
Book 1: "An Outline of Psycho-Analysis" This was the last book that Freud wrote (1938). Though short, it is, "A Masterpiece of clarity and conciseness ... both a manual for the layman on the fundamental tenets of psycho-analysis, and a summary of the principles arrived at after a lifetime of research and experiment in the science of psychology." (back cover)
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