Why I Wrote The Mercy

Why did I write The Mercy? Well, first of all, I’m crazy. What it takes to write and re-write a book requires a certain loose relationship with reality. I love people and stories. I don’t delude myself into believing that my stories will make a dent in the admirable goals …

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Coffee: Gateway to Heroin

Coffee:  Gateway to Heroin Useful Psychology Teaches Us ‘How to Think,’ Not ‘What to Think’ The problem with Nancy Reagan’s ‘Just say No’ anti-drug program was that the focus was on blind obedience. This method works well with children still in the ‘concrete thinking’ stage of development, but does not …

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Can You Really Change? Can Anyone?

Can You Really Change?  Can Anyone? The Teapot Incident The day I discovered people can change I was at the university health center set to have a session with my very first couple clients on my own. Mr. and Mrs. T. had sought my services because they were distressed and needed …

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Dreams, Goals. How to Get Stuff Done (Re-set. Accidental Deletion)

Dreams, Goals. How to Get Stuff Done  (Re-set. Accidental Deletion) mysteryshrinkJune 11, 2015Anxiety, Depression, Front Page Dreams, Goals. How to Get Stuff Done The lead photograph is a picture of Alvin Bailey, the head groom at the stable when I was a kid, a beloved friend, and one of my …

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Self Regulation: How Can I Do a Better Job of Managing Emotions?

Self Regulation: How Can I Do a Better Job of Managing Emotions? Notes on Bowen Theory.  Hal DeShong, Ph.D.  Psychology for Dummies Entry Note:  This entry outlines elements of self-regulation (a.) through (g.), each of which will be clarified with painful examples in upcoming articles. For example, to illustrate ‘Decreasing …

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Should I Apologize?

Should I Apologize? Well, of course. Unless you are that one perfect person you make mistakes all the time. So, I ask you, can you give me one rational reason why you shouldn’t apologize? When I ask this question in my office I usually receive one of those ‘I’m-paying-you-and-this-is-what-I-get?’ expressions. …

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