The field of psychology has really grown up over the last hundred years or so. Historians of the field often note that psychology grew off of a branch of philosophy in a similar way in which the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology) did centuries before. In that time, many men and women have contributed to the […]
Color-blind racial attitudes are, in short, implicit and ambiguous forms of racial prejudice. And where, in most cases, explicit forms of institutional racism have become socially unacceptable since the Jim Crow era in the United States, negative racial attitudes have, by and large, gone under the radar: racism is still very much with us, but […]
Often, when thinking about what might cause changes in neurotransmitter levels of the brain, most might immediately think ‘Medication’. Naturally, since the chemical imbalance theory (theory is the correct word here, since it is something that has not yet been proven) of mental illness has become increasingly popular. Few may realize, however, that their experiences […]
Prior to the psychopharmacology era (or, the time before antidepressants had become widely available), most individuals struggling with mental illnesses such as depression were, more or less, left on their own. However, throughout the so-called “Prozac Revolution,” in the 1970s and 1980s, antidepressants started to become more commonplace, as more individuals began using them. Nowadays, […]
Leaving the familiar behind in order to pursue the unknown is terrifying. That may be one reason why people stay in situations they’re unhappy in. But you don’t have to let fear stop you from leaving behind jobs, romances, or even deeply rooted philosophies that no longer serve you. I know this because I’ve walked […]
Earlier this week, autumn Daylight Savings Time begun, and although most of us gained an extra hour to sleep in this past weekend, the reduced exposure to natural light has been known to contribute to a mental disorder known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or, as it is commonly referred to, “SAD.” Many of us who live in the […]
Spirituality can be a difficult concept to define. It’s similar to the concept of time, we know what it means until we are asked to define it. In general, spirituality often involves a dimension of searching, of seeking—whether it is for meaning, existential answers, or a connection with something greater than ourselves. But how should spirituality […]
How an emerging scientific theory can shape counseling approaches and interventions “If a butterfly flaps it’s wings in Brazil, will it cause a hurricane in Texas?” This question, posed by earlier proponents of “chaos theory,” illustrates how sensitive initial conditions may emerge into something larger and unpredictable. Earlier chaos theorists began in the unrelated fields of […]
As a psychological tool, Projective techniques have been in use for decades, and their usefulness has been championed by those such as Harold Pepinsky, who has been described as a “pioneer in the counseling profession.” In short, projective techniques are used in the therapeutic context “as a means to advance the counseling relationship and to maintain an understanding of […]
An emerging form of therapy for children (particularly those with autism spectrum disorder) is the use of animals, particularly dogs. In recent years, therapy dogs have become a popular form of treatment with children with autism spectrum disorder. One group of researchers, recently conducted a review of the evidence for using therapy dogs, and the […]