Monthly Archives: May 2014

The Shrink’s Links: The Yellow Birds & Fire and Forget

Bringing you the best of mental health every week. Today, we have a double shrink’s links. Two links for the price of one. Two great books of fiction I recommend about America’s recent war experience: The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers and Fire and Forget Edited by Roy Scranton and Matt Gallagher In both cases,Continue reading “The Shrink’s Links: The Yellow Birds & Fire and Forget”

The Shrink’s Links: The Secret to Desire in Long Term Relationships

Bringing you the best of mental health and relationship articles on the internet. Today’s link from the shrink is: The Secret to Desire in Long Term Relationships In long-term relationships, we often expect our beloved to be both best friend and erotic partner. But as Esther Perel argues, good and committed sex draws on twoContinue reading “The Shrink’s Links: The Secret to Desire in Long Term Relationships”

Relationships, Part 29: Collusion versus Collaboration

Not all associations are collaborative. Some associations have no shared goals. Others form a collusion. Collaboration involves working together for mutual benefit; collusion permits people to escape their responsibilities and avoid difficult issues. One party agrees to look the other way in exchange for the other doing the same. The wife who fakes orgasm soContinue reading “Relationships, Part 29: Collusion versus Collaboration”

The Shrink’s Links: Review of the Uses of Enchantment

Bringing you the best of mental health and relationship articles on the internet. Today’s link from the shrink is: The Uses of Enchantment This a book that I have loved since it first came out in the 1970’s even though its author, Bruno Bettleheim, was later disgraced, his other theories discredited, and he suffocated himselfContinue reading “The Shrink’s Links: Review of the Uses of Enchantment”

Relationships, Part 28: Collaboration

We could accomplish so much more together than we ever can individually, but often we don’t. Alliances fall apart. At the heart of every productive human connection is collaboration: an implicit or explicit agreement to cooperate with one another and work towards shared goals. Collaboration is found in all human relationships: sports teams, work groups,Continue reading “Relationships, Part 28: Collaboration”

Relationships, Part 27: Open to Influence

What do you suppose is the most common factor influencing divorce? Infidelity? Poor communication? Abuse? Irreconcilable differences? Lack of commitment? These are the reasons most often given by divorced couples. Marrying early in life? Living together before marriage? Premarital pregnancy? Having no religion? Coming from a divorced household? These are the demographic factors that predictContinue reading “Relationships, Part 27: Open to Influence”