A Psychoanalytic Exploration

Coaching

How Much Should You Tell Your Clients About Yourself?

David Scharff M.D. on September 18, 2022

Therapists: How much of your own story do you share with clients? One psychoanalyst explains why detailed sharing harms the therapeutic experience—and what you can do instead.

Therapists: How much of your own story do you share with clients? One psychoanalyst explains why detailed sharing harms the therapeutic experience—and what you can do instead.

Relationships

How to Teach Students, and Treat Clients, in Hostile Countries

David Scharff M.D. on June 30, 2022

How can we work with people whose home countries are at odds with our own? One well-traveled psychotherapist shares his thoughts.

How can we work with people whose home countries are at odds with our own? One well-traveled psychotherapist shares his thoughts.

Suicide

What Is Empty Heart Disease?

David Scharff M.D. on June 7, 2022

They've sacrificed everything for success, and they've made it. But why do so many young people feel like the struggle was meaningless?

They've sacrificed everything for success, and they've made it. But why do so many young people feel like the struggle was meaningless?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Is It Time to Stop Talking About COVID?

David Scharff M.D. on May 16, 2022

Two years into the pandemic, many parts of the world have returned to life as usual. How do we keep ourselves safe—and where do we go from here?

Two years into the pandemic, many parts of the world have returned to life as usual. How do we keep ourselves safe—and where do we go from here?

Trauma

Facing the Realities of War With Our Clients, for Ourselves

David Scharff M.D. on March 31, 2022

The realities of war now live within us all. How do you adjust your therapeutic technique for a client in crisis? And how do you manage your own emotional needs in the process?

The realities of war now live within us all. How do you adjust your therapeutic technique for a client in crisis? And how do you manage your own emotional needs in the process?

Academic Problems and Skills

Why Many Therapists Have Waitlists Right Now

David Scharff M.D. on March 21, 2022

Does your therapist have a waitlist? Here's why (and what you can do in the meantime).

Does your therapist have a waitlist? Here's why (and what you can do in the meantime).

Anxiety

Handling Anxiety about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

David Scharff M.D. on March 1, 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has left us feeling helpless, afraid and alone. How can we channel those feelings toward the greater good?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has left us feeling helpless, afraid and alone. How can we channel those feelings toward the greater good?

Motivation

How to Make Plans in a Time of Uncertainty

David Scharff M.D. on January 28, 2022

How do you plan for your future during a pandemic? Here are some points to keep in mind.

How do you plan for your future during a pandemic? Here are some points to keep in mind.

Stress

A Few Certain Things About Living With Uncertainty

David Scharff M.D. on January 17, 2022

No one truly knows what the future will hold—but here's what we know about living with uncertainty.

No one truly knows what the future will hold—but here's what we know about living with uncertainty.

Stress

Children's Mental Health and the Pandemic

David Scharff M.D. on December 23, 2021

Growing up in a pandemic isn't easy. Here's what we can do to help.

Growing up in a pandemic isn't easy. Here's what we can do to help.

Career

Changing Careers While Keeping Your Job

David Scharff M.D. on December 19, 2021

Mental health careers don't always have to involve a couch. A veteran psychoanalyst reviews the varied paths of his own career.

Mental health careers don't always have to involve a couch. A veteran psychoanalyst reviews the varied paths of his own career.

Psychiatry

Marketing Mental Health Care: A Rising Challenge

David Scharff M.D. on November 13, 2021

These days, mental health services are a bustling business. But who really benefits? Here's why you shouldn't shop for your psychotherapist where you shop for bubble gum.

These days, mental health services are a bustling business. But who really benefits? Here's why you shouldn't shop for your psychotherapist where you shop for bubble gum.

Online Therapy

The Data Are In: Telehealth Is Here to Stay

David Scharff M.D. on November 10, 2021

COVID has changed the way we practice therapy. But what can current trends tell us about the future of our industry?

COVID has changed the way we practice therapy. But what can current trends tell us about the future of our industry?

Parenting

Your Child Is Struggling. Could Your Marriage Be to Blame?

David Scharff M.D. on October 26, 2021

You know that a struggling child can put stress on their parents' relationship — but did you know that a stressful parental relationship contributes to a child's struggle?

You know that a struggling child can put stress on their parents' relationship — but did you know that a stressful parental relationship contributes to a child's struggle?

Passive-Aggression

Why You Should Just Pick Up the Phone

David Scharff M.D. on October 12, 2021

Have you been experiencing communication problems? The solution may be a phone call away.

Have you been experiencing communication problems? The solution may be a phone call away.

Psychoanalysis

Between Freud and Bowlby: Ronald Fairbairn's Enduring Legacy

David Scharff M.D. on September 27, 2021

Ronald Fairbairn might be the most important psychoanalyst you've never heard of.

Ronald Fairbairn might be the most important psychoanalyst you've never heard of.

Psychiatry

The Mass Marketing of Mental Health

David Scharff M.D. on September 13, 2021

Here's why you shouldn't shop for your psychotherapist where you shop for bubble gum.

Here's why you shouldn't shop for your psychotherapist where you shop for bubble gum.

Online Therapy

Will COVID Make Teletherapy the New Normal?

David Scharff M.D. on August 21, 2021

Teletherapy is rapidly growing in popularity among mental health professionals and clients alike. Are you prepared to offer this service to your clients?

Teletherapy is rapidly growing in popularity among mental health professionals and clients alike. Are you prepared to offer this service to your clients?

Career

5 Lessons from a 50-year Psychotherapy Career

David Scharff M.D. on August 5, 2021

Considering a career in psychotherapy? Ask yourself these questions to determine your readiness.

Considering a career in psychotherapy? Ask yourself these questions to determine your readiness.

Anxiety

Addressing Hong Kong’s Political Crisis as a Psychotherapist

David Scharff M.D. on July 28, 2021

The people of Hong Kong face a new reality. Hong Kong's forced return to Chinese rule will affect people's mental health, and our role as mental health advocates.

The people of Hong Kong face a new reality. Hong Kong's forced return to Chinese rule will affect people's mental health, and our role as mental health advocates.