Art and Images in Psychiatry
Between 2002 and 2014,Ā JAMA PsychiatryĀ published monthly essays by Dr. James C. Harris exploring the role of visual arts in representing emotional distress, trauma, life...
Can Cultural Engagement Protect Against Depression?
A new study examines the preventative effects of cultural engagement has on depression among older adults.
āTherapy Wars: The Revenge of Freudā
Writing in The Guardian, Oliver Burkeman discusses the comeback of Freudās psychoanalysis, along with humanistic therapy, interpersonal therapy, transpersonal therapy, and transactional analysis and...
A Mental Patientās View of the Body
In 20 years of inpatient hospitalization, the psychiatrists that I encountered focused almost exclusively on treating my diseased mind and had no concept or interest in the body. While the wheels of āprogressā turn slowly in mental health, I hope that along with ongoing advocacy there will be a focus on responsible health counseling and supporting people in healthier eating and living.
How Our Ancestors’ Trauma May Influence Who We Are
In this blog post, Dale M. KushnerĀ explains how the field of epigenetics can illustrate the role of ancestral and transgenerational trauma in shaping our...
Arts Participation May Improve Mental Well-Being and Social Inclusion
Introductory arts courses at Open Arts Essex show improvements in mental well-being and social inclusion for individuals with mental health challenges.
Series on Anti-Psychiatry and Critical Theory for World Mental Health Day
To coincide with World Mental Health Day on October 10th, 2015, Verso Books, the largest independent and radical publishing house released a series of blogs on mental health and critical and antipsychiatry. The posts include pieces on R.D. Laing, colonialism, womenās oppression, delusions and art, āThe Happiness Industry,ā and social and institutional oppression.
Music Therapy Interventions Reduce Depression Symptoms in Dementia
Therapists can use music to meet the emotional and social needs of individuals with dementia.
Histories of Violence: Neurodiversity and the Policing of the Norm
In this interview for theĀ Los Angeles Review of Books,Ā cultural theorist and philosopher Erin Manning discusses neurodiversity, a movement that seeks toĀ depathologize traits, experiences, and...
Mad Pride: Making a Truce With the Voices in Your Head
In this piece forĀ Vice, Tess McClure describes New Zealand's Mad Pride movement, a movement that seeks to destigmatize, normalize, and celebrate experiences of voice-hearing...
Birthday Letter: Sylvia Plath and “Daddy”
In this pieceĀ forĀ The Paris Review, Belinda McKeon analyzes the poetry and letters Sylvia Plath wrote in the few months just before her suicide.
“Let the Soul Dangle”: How Mind-Wandering Spurs Creativity
FromĀ Aeon: An emerging field of neuroscience has begun to reveal how contemplating art can lead to positive mind-wandering, psycho-biological self-regulation, and creativity.
"Can art itself...
Karen Pence Picks a Cause, and Art Therapists Feel Angst
From the New York Times:Ā On Inauguration Day, Karen Pence announced her support for the mental health profession of art therapy. While many art therapists...
The Enduring Myth of the Mad Genius
FromĀ Wellcome Collection: It has long been assumed that great writers and artists must be touched by madness. However, no link between artistic talent and...
To the Bone: The Trouble With Anorexia on Film
FromĀ The Atlantic: The new Netflix filmĀ To the Bone, which tells the story of a woman's struggle with anorexia, reflects our culture's morbid fascination and...
Why U.K. Doctors Are Doling Out ‘Social Prescriptions’
FromĀ CBS Radio: U.K. doctors are increasingly prescribing social interventionsĀ ā community based solutions such as art classes, gardening clubs, and walking groupsĀ ā as an alternative...
Hopeless But Not Broken: From George Carlin to Protest Music
FromĀ CounterPunch: Although people are often pathologized and shamed for feeling hopeless, hopelessness is sometimes a natural reaction to an oppressive political climate. George Carlin...
Soteria: Reflections on “Being With”
From theĀ Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care: Yana Jacobs, LMFT reflects on her experiences providing art therapy at a Soteria House and "being...
Storytelling Therapy for Trauma and Bullying
A study out of the University of Buffalo explores the use of Narrative Exposure Therapy to treat youth PTSD and substance abuse. āTrauma is...
A Glimpse Into the Brain, Drawn by the Father of Neuroscience
FromĀ The New York Times: A new exhibit at the Grey Gallery at New York University presents 80 hand-drawn renderings of the brain by Santiago...
Reading Suggestions for Bibliotherapy
FromĀ Notes From a Typewriter: Bibliotherapy, i.e.,Ā the use of books in coping with emotional distress, can be a great source of comfort and support.
"Reading is...
How an Ancient Singing Tradition Helps People Cope With Trauma
FromĀ YES! Magazine: Lament singing, an ancient tradition once observed for spiritual purposes duringĀ funerals, weddings, and times of war, is now seeing a revival in...
Self-Differentiation and Why it Matters in Relationships
FromĀ GoodTherapy.org: Research shows the tremendous impact we each have on one another's emotional and psychological health; our emotions, especially those that are negative, are...
Asylum Magazine: Mad Studies Comes of R/Age, Part Two
A new issue of Asylum MagazineĀ is available. This issue is the second in a two-part series highlighting new and original work on the theme...
