Porcupine’s Dilemma

While listening to patients talk about how their desire to get close to someone is often constrained by their perceived need to “self-protect,” I couldn’t help but think of the Porcupine’s Dilemma, a parable made famous by German Philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer. This parable describes a cold winter day where a group of porcupines huddle together …

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Why Couples Therapy Needs To Talk About Sex

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard of a couple in couples therapy with a therapist who never asked about sex, let’s just say I’d have many, many dollars. Yes, therapy should begin where the client is, and if a couple goes to therapy for a specific issue supposedly unrelated to sex, …

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Gratitude For The Holidays

In the mental health profession, we sometimes refer to this time of year as the “busy season.” The holidays are often a time of stress and contact with family members that we usually only see during the “holidays.” Many patients who I have not seen in months call and ask if I have a few …

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