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Philosophy and Therapy

Notes on being known

Psychiatry
The Literature of Neurotransmission

John T. Maier Ph.D. on April 5, 2024

Michel Houellebecq's "Serotonin" is a portrait of depression and isolation that is a useful read for those who want to understand these conditions better.

Michel Houellebecq's "Serotonin" is a portrait of depression and isolation that is a useful read for those who want to understand these conditions better.

Psychiatry
Who Is "High-Functioning"?

John T. Maier Ph.D. on March 19, 2024

The term "high-functioning" is a common one, but it does not actually describe a psychiatric diagnosis. It is worth thinking about why this term has become popular.

The term "high-functioning" is a common one, but it does not actually describe a psychiatric diagnosis. It is worth thinking about why this term has become popular.

Cognition
Why What We Call Young Patients Matters

John T. Maier Ph.D. on February 13, 2024

Many providers refer to child and adolescent clients as "kiddos." But this terminology is not without problems, and we should consider abandoning it.

Many providers refer to child and adolescent clients as "kiddos." But this terminology is not without problems, and we should consider abandoning it.

Addiction
Gambling and the Politics of Addiction

John T. Maier Ph.D. on February 7, 2024

A Personal Perspective: People with addictions are subject to exploitation. We should think carefully about what forms of advocacy for people with gambling addictions should take.

A Personal Perspective: People with addictions are subject to exploitation. We should think carefully about what forms of advocacy for people with gambling addictions should take.

Philosophy
Schizophrenia and the Philosophy of Self

John T. Maier Ph.D. on January 31, 2024

An important movement in psychiatry revives an early idea about schizophrenia, namely that it is a self-disorder. This idea requires psychiatry to confront the philosophy of self.

An important movement in psychiatry revives an early idea about schizophrenia, namely that it is a self-disorder. This idea requires psychiatry to confront the philosophy of self.

Intelligence
The Meaning of "Smart"

John T. Maier Ph.D. on January 18, 2024

The term "smart" is increasingly common. But its usage is complicated, and reflection on it should lead us to become less concerned whether we are "smart."

The term "smart" is increasingly common. But its usage is complicated, and reflection on it should lead us to become less concerned whether we are "smart."

Motivation
The Philosophy of Maslow's Hierarchy

John T. Maier Ph.D. on January 4, 2024

Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" is widely influential, but empirically questionable. We should rethink its use in the helping professions.

Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" is widely influential, but empirically questionable. We should rethink its use in the helping professions.

Therapy
Therapy in an Age of Technological Abundance

John T. Maier Ph.D. on December 23, 2023

Advances in artificial intelligence promise to dramatically lower the cost of therapy. It is worth considering what consequences this might have.

Advances in artificial intelligence promise to dramatically lower the cost of therapy. It is worth considering what consequences this might have.

Psychiatry
A New Pathway Between Body and Mind?

John T. Maier Ph.D. on November 26, 2023

Researchers are just beginning to understand the subtle relationships between body and mind. One new frontier is the psychology of connective tissue disorders.

Researchers are just beginning to understand the subtle relationships between body and mind. One new frontier is the psychology of connective tissue disorders.

Harm Reduction
Is Vaping Harm Reduction?

John T. Maier Ph.D. on October 24, 2023

There is debate within the harm-reduction community about vaping or "e-cigarettes." This debate points to two different understandings of what harm reduction is.

There is debate within the harm-reduction community about vaping or "e-cigarettes." This debate points to two different understandings of what harm reduction is.

Addiction
The Problem with Treating "Pre-Addiction"

John T. Maier Ph.D. on August 17, 2023

A new proposal suggests introducing a concept of "preaddiction" into addiction treatment. But this language may cause more problems than it solves.

A new proposal suggests introducing a concept of "preaddiction" into addiction treatment. But this language may cause more problems than it solves.

Happiness
Happiness and Intention

John T. Maier Ph.D. on July 1, 2023

There are many philosophical theories about what makes life go well, but they tend to leave out the ingredient that is, from the clinical point of view, most important of all.

There are many philosophical theories about what makes life go well, but they tend to leave out the ingredient that is, from the clinical point of view, most important of all.

Anxiety
Why Options Matter for Mental Health

John T. Maier Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

Some argue that excessive choices may be a risk to mental health. Evidence shows that we should be more aware of our options.

Some argue that excessive choices may be a risk to mental health. Evidence shows that we should be more aware of our options.

Addiction
Weakness of Will and the Persistence of Stigma

John T. Maier Ph.D. on August 11, 2022

We are in the habit of describing other people, and ourselves, as weak-willed. But this term bears a residue of stigma that we should reject.

We are in the habit of describing other people, and ourselves, as weak-willed. But this term bears a residue of stigma that we should reject.

Psychiatry
When Our Thoughts Are Not Our Own

John T. Maier Ph.D. on May 19, 2022

Some philosophers take it to be obvious that i am the thinker of any thought I have. But considerations from psychiatry and religious experience suggest this is not so obvious.

Some philosophers take it to be obvious that i am the thinker of any thought I have. But considerations from psychiatry and religious experience suggest this is not so obvious.

Health
The Case for Bibliotherapy

John T. Maier Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

Books, when appropriately chosen and offered in a structured setting, can be a remarkably effective and readily available mental health intervention.

Books, when appropriately chosen and offered in a structured setting, can be a remarkably effective and readily available mental health intervention.