The Couch

Insights, how to’s and guides on improving your mental health with professional therapy. Read about treating conditions, improving your relationships, therapy trends and more. Educating yourself is the first step toward achieving better mental health.

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Narcissistic mother

Personality Disorders

Sons of Narcissistic Mothers: Do They Become Narcissistic Themselves?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

types of love

The 7 Types of Love: What Can They Teach Us Today?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

intimacy issues

What is Intimacy Therapy? An Overview

By Amanda Caswell

dating someone with depression

Dating Someone With Depression: 23 Tips From a Therapist

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

woman walking sadly

How to Identify a Covert Narcissist

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

beautiful woman

Venustraphobia: The Fear of Beautiful Women

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

sociopath staring at lake

Is My Child a Sociopath? Know the Signs

By Kristen Frescoe, MSc

man looking in the mirror saying positive affirmations

Depression

44 Positive Affirmations for Depression to Inspire Change

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

depressed teenager on a bench

Teen Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

By Dawn Ferrara, LPC, PsyD

Anatidaephobia

Is Anatidaephobia a Real Condition?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

woman in conversation listening intently

What Is Engaged Listening?

By Karen Doll, Psy.D., L.P

personality test

The Myers-Briggs Personality Test: An Overview

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

What is Hebephilia

What is Hebephilia?

By Karen Doll, Psy.D., L.P

couple holding hands

What to Expect from Couples Therapy

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

couple making up

Relationships

7 Ways to Help Someone You’ve Hurt

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

woman using grey rock method

The Grey Rock Method: A Guide to Emotional Protection

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

married couple holding hands

How to Fall Back in Love With Your Partner

By Amanda Caswell

Sanguine Personality

What Is a Sanguine Temperament?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

EMDR therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

By Adebolanle Ade, MSW, RBT

woman looking at mannequin

Understanding Automatonophobia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

DBT group session

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

By Emily Mendez M.S., Ed.S.

Crippling Depression

Depression

What Is Crippling Depression?

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

deep sleep and stress

Stress and Deep Sleep: Is there a Link?

By Shirley Amy

sad lonely woman

Can Sexual Frustration Lead to Depression?

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

CBT therapy session

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

using social media around the holidays

Social Media and the Holidays: How to Keep a Healthy Perspective

By Alyssa Greene, LPCC

Grief during the holidays

How to Cope With Grief During the Holidays

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

women suspecting husband of texting with another woman

Emotional Affairs: Cheating Without Sex

By Amanda Caswell

Nighttime Depression

Depression

How to Cope With Nighttime Depression

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

smelling something

Grounding Techniques for Coping With Anxiety

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

Saving a Failing Relationship

8 Tips For Saving a Failing Relationship

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

man looking away from mirror

What Is Spectrophobia?

By Theresa Smith, CASAC, CRC, LMFT, LPC

soldier struggling with PTSD

What Is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

fear of outer space

What Is Astrophobia?

By Katie Tyrrell, MS, LPCC

dealing with an overbearing mother

Dealing With an Overbearing Mother

By Amanda Caswell

semantic memory

Psychology

Semantic Memory: What is it and Why is it Important?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Lady Gaga

Celebrities Who Have Struggled With Depression

By Amanda Caswell

old photos used for remembering events

Selective Memory: An Overview

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

young girl working on a puzzle

Fluid Versus Crystallized Intelligence

By Emily Mendez M.S., Ed.S.

crush on therapist

Is It Normal To Have A Crush On Your Therapist?

By Alyssa Greene, LPCC

parsimony psychology

The Principle of Parsimony in Psychology: An Overview

By Karen Doll, Psy.D., L.P

woman sleeping on couch

What Is Somnophilia?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

man and woman holding hands

Relationships

What Is Genetic Sexual Attraction?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

favorite color

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Depression and Anxiety Chat Rooms

Depression and Anxiety Chat Rooms: An Overview

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Woman text messaging her boyfriend

The Benefits of a Long-Distance Relationship

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

Strawberries

What Is Trypophobia? Definitions, Signs, and Treatments

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

High functioning sociopathic man

Traits of a High-Functioning Sociopath

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

premarital online counseling

Is Online Premarital Counseling Effective?

By Amanda Caswell

married couple dealing with addiction

Mental Health

Can Your Marriage Survive Substance Abuse and Addiction?

By Jose Rosado, LGPC, MBA, RPS

mother and baby

An Overview of Object Relations Theory and Therapy

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

woman comforting her sad friend

What is Repression in Psychology?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

psychodynamic talk therapy session

Psychodynamic Therapy: An Overview

By Emily Mendez M.S., Ed.S.

woman with eating disorder in hospital bed

Eating Disorders: An Overview

By Dawn Ferrara, LPC, PsyD

psychopath sitting in car

Sociopath vs. Psychopath: Understanding the Difference

By Kristen Frescoe, MSc

family walking together

Is Mental Illness Genetic?

By Adebolanle Ade, MSW, RBT

man standing outside

Mental Health

How to Foster Better Self-Awareness: 3 Tips

By Stacey Leibowitz-Levy, Ph.D.

older man driving convertible car

How to Cope With a Midlife Crisis?

By Yocheved Golani

Hot flashes in men

Are Hot Flashes in Men Anxiety-Related?

By Dawn Ferrara, LPC, PsyD

teddy bear

What is Regression in Psychology?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

married couple on date

How to Bring Romance Back Into Your Marriage

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

therapy for anxiety

Therapy Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

parental anxiety

How to Cope With Parental Anxiety

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

emotionally unavailable partner

Relationships

How to Spot Emotionally Unavailable Partners

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

heavy drinking of alcohol

Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant?

By Karen Doll, Psy.D., L.P

ABCDE model

What is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

Panic Attack

How to Stop Panic Attacks: 7 Helpful Tips

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Stendhal Syndrome

What is Stendhal Syndrome?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

upset ADHD child

Are Children With ADHD More Likely to Lie?

By Amanda Caswell

Traumatic event

How Does Trauma Therapy Work?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS