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.

Explore Topics

Phobias

Autophobia: Fear of Being Alone

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

man looking away from mirror

Spectrophobia: The Fear of Mirrors

By Theresa Smith, CASAC, CRC, LMFT, LPC

fear of crowds

How to Deal With Enochlophobia (Fear of Crowds)

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

couple on the beach

What is Gamophobia?

By Alexis Dent

using other people

How to Spot People That Use Others

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

sociopath staring at lake

Signs Your Child May Be a Sociopath

By Kristen Frescoe, MSc

jealous girlfriend suspiciously watching her boyfriend

How Jealousy Can Ruin Your Relationship

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

fear of the passing of time

Phobias

What is Chronophobia?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

anxiety apps

The 4 Best Anxiety Apps of 2023

By Dawn Ferrara, LPC, PsyD

man being left out of conversation by two friends

What Is Triangulation in Psychology?

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

Nomophobia

Nomophobia: Cellphone Separation Anxiety

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

skype for therapy

Is Skype Secure for Therapy?

By Alexis Dent

Security of Online Therapy Platforms

Is Online Therapy Secure and Confidential?

By Amanda Caswell

Grief during the holidays

Coping With Grief During the Holidays

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

speaking to someone with PTSD

PTSD

20 Things Not to Say to Someone With PTSD

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

elevator

What is Cleithrophobia?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

woman sleeping on couch

What is Somnophilia?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

woman crying out of anger

Why Do I Cry When I Get Angry?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

married couple holding hands

15 Tips for Falling Back in Love With Your Partner

By Amanda Caswell

loss of identity

6 Signs You Have Lost Your Identity

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

man with anxiety rash

How to Identify and Treat an Anxiety Rash

By Amanda Caswell

Daith Piercing

Anxiety

Can Daith Piercing Reduce Anxiety?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

Sociopath walking in the woods

What Is a Sociopath?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

sad lonely woman

Can Sexual Frustration Lead to Depression?

By Alexander Draghici, MS, LCPC

frustrated couple sitting on a bed

An Overview of Intimacy Therapy

By Amanda Caswell

How to Reduce Back-To-School Anxiety

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

depressed teenager on a bench

Teen Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

By Dawn Ferrara, LPC, PsyD

objects submerged under water

What Is Submechanophobia?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

fear of beautiful women

Phobias

Venustraphobia: The Fear of Beautiful Women

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

women using grey rock method by acting distracted

What Is the Grey Rock Method?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

Depression and Anxiety Chat Rooms

Depression and Anxiety Chat Rooms: An Overview

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

relaxing on a hammock

8 Simple Ways to Lower Your Cortisol Levels

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

Free Online Counseling: What You Should Know

By Adebolanle Ade, MSW, RBT

fear of snakes

Afraid of Snakes? You May Have Ophidiophobia

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

unhappy couple

How to Deal With Stonewalling

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Sanguine Personality

Psychology

What Is a Sanguine Temperament?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Assertive choleric business man

What Is a Choleric Temperament?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

people together on a mattress

Polyamory and Polygamy: Understanding the Difference

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

premarital online counseling

Is Online Premarital Counseling Effective?

By Amanda Caswell

Millennials and Depression

Are Millennials the Most Depressed Generation?

By Adebolanle Ade, MSW, RBT

peacock showing it's feathers

Does Briffault’s Law Apply to Human Relationships?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

psychological testing online

Are Online Psychological Tests Reliable?

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

Crippling Depression

Depression

What Is Crippling Depression?

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

Spotting a Sadist

How to Spot a Sadist

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

infantilization in parenting

What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Infantilization?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Reunification Therapy

What Is Reunification Therapy?

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

Quiet BPD

How to Spot Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

Peter Pan Syndrome

Overcoming Peter Pan Syndrome: What You Should Know

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

Marriage counseling session

Can Online Marriage Counseling Prevent Divorce?

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

types of love

Relationships

What Are the 7 Types of Love?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

deep sleep

Stress and Deep Sleep: Is there a Link?

By Shirley Amy

depressed man working at desk

How to Cope With Depression at Work

By Katie Tyrrell, MS, LPCC

psychopath sitting in car

Sociopath vs. Psychopath: Understanding the Difference

By Kristen Frescoe, MSc

Female Psychopath

Signs of a Female Psychopath

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

CBT therapy session

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

Nighttime Depression

How to Cope With Nighttime Depression?

By Jennie Lannette, MSW, LCSW

narcissistic abuse

Personality Disorders

What is Narcissistic Abuse?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

personality disorders and trauma

Personality Disorders and Trauma: Is There a Link?

By Jeffrey J. Magnavita, Ph.D.

Narcissistic mother

Do Narcissistic Mothers Raise Narcissistic Sons?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

High functioning sociopathic man

Traits of a High-Functioning Sociopath

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

Couple walking holding hands

Dating Someone With Anxiety: Tips and Advice

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

woman in conversation listening intently

What Is Engaged Listening?

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

woman walking sadly

How to Identify a Covert Narcissist

By Shannon V. McHugh, PsyD

sad irritated woman sitting in car

Depression

What Is Agitated Depression?

By Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

living with anhedonia

What Is Anhedonia? An Overview

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

old photos used for remembering events

What Is Selective Memory?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT

PTSD Service Dog

Are PTSD Service Dogs Helpful?

By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS

traumatic event with ambulance

What You Should Know About PTSD Triggers

By MS Broudy, Ph.D

Serial Monogamy

What Is a Serial Monogamist?

By Katie Tyrrell, MS, LPCC

empty chair at therapist office

What Are Gestalt Therapy Techniques?

By Michelle Overman, LMFT