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Psychotherapy

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

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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

Black and white photo of a person looking up at a tall glass skyscraper with a suitcase in hand.

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

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

Photo of a woman in a red top with colourful overlapping shadows on a wall displaying red, blue and yellow hues.

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

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

Photo of a person sitting in a train gazing out a window at blurred trees under sunlight.

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

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

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

Black and white photo of two people playing a piano, focused on their hands and the keyboard from above.

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

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

Photo of a plane cabin interior showing passengers seated, viewed from the back.

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