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Psychotherapy

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Two office workers, one standing and reviewing papers, the other seated and smoking, in a 1970s-style office with a telephone and stacks of paperwork.

Personality disorders

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Popular views of narcissism are distorted and too pessimistic

As therapists, we’ve treated people with narcissistic personality disorder. We have a more hopeful story to tell about them

by Giancarlo Dimaggio & Igor Weinberg

An art installation with bright yellow-and-blue paintings by Vincent van Gogh projected onto walls and floors, with a person standing in the background.

The self

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Boost your self-understanding with a navigational approach

Physical and mental navigation involve overlapping brain processes, casting new light on the notion of an ‘inner journey’

by Nick Kabrél

A rotating antique globe in brass and other materials seen from above

Freedom and choice

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Recognise free will is an illusion and reap the emotional benefits

The idea that all our choices are determined by past events may seem dispiriting – but it can be emotionally liberating

by Francis Merson

A baby in floral pyjamas lying on a bed, holding hands with a woman in a polka-dot dress who leans over, smiling.

Psychotherapy

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Getting what we think we want can reveal just how complex desire is

Helping my clients probe their unspoken wants creates a space of freedom to express the possibilities that lie dormant

by Charlotte Fox Weber

A person’s hand arranging small pebbles next to a miniature landscape featuring a tall rock, an obelisk, and scattered colourful yarn balls.

Psychotherapy

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Sand-tray therapy can reach feelings at the ‘edge of awareness’

Originally developed for use in child therapy, sand trays are now helping adults with their difficult thoughts and emotions

by Doreen Fleet

A person’s shadow is cast in overlapping red, yellow and blue on a pink and blue wall. The shadow highlights their face and shoulder.

Psychotherapy

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Psychotherapy under the microscope: how exactly does it work?

To improve psychotherapy, researchers are looking beyond what happens in a session to learn exactly how change is achieved

by Ciarán O’Driscoll

Two people playing a piano together, viewed from above, with both their hands on the piano keys in a black and white photo.

Psychotherapy

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What does it mean to be an expert in psychodynamic therapy?

In a field with no easy answers or quick fixes, what does it mean to say that you have the expertise your patients need?

by Darren Haber

Impressionist painting of a figure standing by the sea, observing a distant boat. The scene is enveloped in blue tones with a serene, misty atmosphere.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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The philosophical roots of CBT help explain its limitations

Not all psychological problems are thinking problems. Trying to solve them purely cognitively, with CBT, won’t help us mature

by Bradley Murray

Passengers seated inside an aeroplane cabin, viewed from the back and looking towards the front of the plane.

Group therapy

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Behind the scenes at an ‘exposure’ flight for flying phobia

A single-session, exposure-based treatment for large groups could help bring evidence-based psychotherapy to the masses

by André Wannemüller

Blurred silhouette of a person looking out a window at bright, sunlit trees and landscape outside.

The self

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The question therapy doesn’t answer: who are we really, really?

Therapy is a valuable tool for self-understanding. But spiritual practices can unlock a more expansive view of the self

by Eric Jannazzo

Black-and-white photo of a man in a patterned shirt looking up at a tall modern glass building with a grid-like facade.

Therapeutic relationships

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Life coaching is unregulated and growing rapidly. Should it be reined in?

Anybody can call themselves a life coach, and then offer what amounts to serious therapy. Should life coaching be regulated?

by Elias Aboujaoude

Photo of two people sitting on a park bench in a lush green setting with a pathway and trees in the background.

Psychotherapy

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There are many reasons why therapy can be more effective outside

It’s important for psychotherapy clients to have a say not only over their type of therapy, but also where it happens

by Sam Cooley