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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lady trying to recall a memory

lady trying to recall a memory

Psychology

What is Aphantasia? A Closer Look

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

pregnant woman

pregnant woman

Tokophobia: Understanding the Fear of Pregnancy

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

therapy session

therapy session

CBT vs. DBT: Understanding the Difference

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

man with anxiety rash

man with anxiety rash

How to Identify and Treat an Anxiety Rash

By Amanda Caswell

smiling depression

smiling depression

Smiling Depression: What You Should Know

By Yocheved Golani

Sociopath staring without emotion

Sociopath staring without emotion

What Is a Sociopath? Definition, Traits and Treatments

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

unhappy couple

unhappy couple

How to Deal With Stonewalling

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

sad irritated woman sitting in car

sad irritated woman sitting in car

Depression

Agitated Depression: What Is It and How Is It Treated?

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

woman suspiciously watching her husband texting with someone else in bed

woman suspiciously watching her husband texting with someone else in bed

How Jealousy Can Ruin Your Relationship

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

Hot flashes in men

Hot flashes in men

Are Hot Flashes in Men Anxiety-Related?

By Dawn Ferrara, LPC, PsyD

mother and young child playing

mother and young child playing

The Oedipus Complex: Is It Still Relevant?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

eating disorder apps

eating disorder apps

Eating Disorder Recovery Apps: Can They Help?

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

woman walking sadly

woman walking sadly

How to Identify a Covert Narcissist

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

woman looking at mannequin

woman looking at mannequin

Automatonophobia: What Is It and How Is It Treated?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

frustrated man working on a laptop

frustrated man working on a laptop

Mental Health

Stress vs. Frustration: What’s the Difference?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

woman in conversation listening intently

woman in conversation listening intently

What Is Engaged Listening?

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

Shadow Psychology

Shadow Psychology

What Is Shadow Psychology?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

grown man playing video games on couch

grown man playing video games on couch

Overcoming Peter Pan Syndrome: What You Should Know

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

hourglass showing passing of time

hourglass showing passing of time

What is Chronophobia?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

father and adult son doing dishes

father and adult son doing dishes

How to Stop Enabling Grown Children

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

married couple dealing with addiction

married couple dealing with addiction

Can Your Marriage Survive Substance Abuse and Addiction?

By Jose Rosado, LGPC, MBA, RPS

woman using scissors for art project

Psychology

The Truth About Functional Fixedness

By Theresa Smith, CASAC, CRC, LMFT, LPC

married couple holding hands

married couple holding hands

How to Fall Back in Love with Your Partner: 12 Tips

By Amanda Caswell

women suspecting husband of texting with another woman

women suspecting husband of texting with another woman

If There Is No Sex, Is It Considered Cheating?

By Amanda Caswell

tired man working at computer

tired man working at computer

How to Stay Optimistic When You Feel Like a Failure

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

picky eater

picky eater

ARFID: Understanding the Signs and Treatments

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

therapy group in milieu therapy setting

therapy group in milieu therapy setting

What Is Milieu Therapy and How Does It Work?

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

anger management

anger management

Anger Management: How to Regain Control

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

Sanguine Personality Type

Sanguine Personality Type

Psychology

What Is a Sanguine Temperament?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

married couple on date

married couple on date

How to Bring Romance Back Into Your Marriage

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

techniques for worrying less

techniques for worrying less

How to Stop Worrying About Things You Can’t Control

By Amanda Caswell

Lady overthinking with a cup of coffee

Lady overthinking with a cup of coffee

How to Stop Overthinking?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

fear of crowds

fear of crowds

How to Deal with Enochlophobia (Fear of Crowds)

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

Neurotic Behavior

Neurotic Behavior

20 Examples of Neurotic Behavior

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

sexual frustration depression

sexual frustration depression

Can Sexual Frustration Lead to Depression?

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

Quiet BPD

Quiet BPD

Personality Disorders

How to Spot Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

woman crying

woman crying

Why Do I Cry When I Get Angry?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Saving a Failing Relationship

Saving a Failing Relationship

How to Save a Failing Relationship: 8 Tips

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

couple holding hands

couple holding hands

Considering Relationship Therapy? Here’s What to Expect

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

man sitting on couch

man sitting on couch

Exposure Therapy: What Is It? How Does It Work?

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

Reunification Therapy

Reunification Therapy

How Does Reunification Therapy Work?

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

man standing outside

man standing outside

Mental Health

How to Foster Better Self-Awareness: 3 Helpful Strategies

By Stacey Leibowitz-Levy, Ph.D.

Catharsis

Catharsis

What is Catharsis in Psychology?

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

heavy drinking of alcohol

heavy drinking of alcohol

Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant? How Drinking Affects Your Brain

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

deep sleep

deep sleep

Stress and Deep Sleep: Is there a Link?

By Shirley Amy

Split Attraction

Split Attraction

What is the Split Attraction Model?

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

Serial Monogamy

Serial Monogamy

Understanding Serial Monogamy: What You Should Know

By Katie Tyrrell, MS, LPCC

personality disorders and trauma

personality disorders and trauma

Personality Disorders and Trauma: Is There a Link?

By Jeffrey J. Magnavita, Ph.D.

Type C Personality

Type C Personality

Psychology

What is a Type C Personality?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

loss of identity

loss of identity

6 Signs You Have Lost Your Identity

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

child sociopath

child sociopath

Is My Kid a Sociopath?

By Kristen Frescoe, MSc

infantilization in parenting

infantilization in parenting

What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Infantilization?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Anatidaephobia

Anatidaephobia

Is Anatidaephobia a Real Condition or Just Quackery?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

grey rock

grey rock

What Is the Grey Rock Method?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

psychologist vs therapist

psychologist vs therapist

What Is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Psychologist?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

Psychiatric pills

Psychiatric pills

Psychotherapy

What Is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

Stockholm syndrome

Stockholm syndrome

Stockholm Syndrome: Why Victims Sympathize With Their Captors

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

Strawberries

Strawberries

What Is Trypophobia? Definitions, Signs and Treatments

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Female Psychopath

Female Psychopath

Do You Know a Female Psychopath?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

personality test

personality test

The Myers-Briggs Personality Test: An Overview

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

speaking to someone with PTSD

speaking to someone with PTSD

20 Things Not to Say to Someone With PTSD

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

dating someone with depression

dating someone with depression

21 Tips From a Therapist for Dating Someone With Depression

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

types of love

types of love

Relationships

What Are The 7 Types of Love?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence

Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence

Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence: Understanding the Difference

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

people together on a mattress

people together on a mattress

The Differences Between Polyamory & Polygamy

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

family cooking a meal together

family cooking a meal together

Extroverts With Social Anxiety: A Rare Sighting?

By Katie Tyrrell, MS, LPCC

female dominance in relationships

female dominance in relationships

Does Briffault’s Law Apply to Humans?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

what is astrophobia

what is astrophobia

Scared of a Clear Night? Maybe You Have Astrophobia

By Katie Tyrrell, MS, LPCC

Spotting a Sadist

Spotting a Sadist

How to Spot a Sadist

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS