SPOTLIGHT -
Stages of Change Common to All Psychotherapies
Despite their differences, all psychotherapies have these things in common—and are important to consider.
Ending the Psychotherapy Civil War
There is absolutely no good reason for competition among therapies—none is by itself necessary or sufficient, and most are completely complementary, even synergistic.
Is DSM-5-TR Worth Buying?
It's been 9 years since DSM 5 was released. Does this revision advance psychiatric practice?
Follow Your Patient, Not A Manual
Depending on how you look at it, manuals have either played a heroic role in the history of psychotherapy or have been responsible for its degradation.
Zen and the Art of Psychotherapy
The clarifying lens of Zen philosophy focuses our attention on common factors that drive change across the different forms of psychotherapy.
Big Bonus Of Doing Psychotherapy—It Makes You a Better Person
Sometimes what you do for others benefits you, too.
Talking About Psychotherapy: A New Blog
Exploring the importance of the psychotherapeutic relationship.
The Health of Frontline Workers
Dr Frances discusses how best to deal with emotional and economic problems if you are working on the frontlines of this pandemic.
Future of Psychiatry in a Post-Pandemic World
In just 3 months, the virus has changed the lives of our psychiatric patients and of psychiatry forever. What are the next best steps?
Words of Wisdom to Soldiers of the Pandemic
The doctors, nurses, aids, food staff, and janitors are among the frontline heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. They know its ravages best and are most at risk. We mustn't let them down.
Helping Patients and the Public Endure the Pandemic
Allen Frances, MD, delivers a powerful message for mental health professionals to help them navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
My 50 Years of Experience Condensed Into 50 Tips Each For Clinicians, Patients, Families, and Policymakers
In this 4-part collection, the author shares his experience and provides guidance to all involved in the mental health field-patients, physicians, families, and policymakers.
Repairing Our Broken Mental Health Care System: Advice for Policymakers
Advice to Families Coping With Psychiatric Problems
This third in the series provides advice to families on how best to cope with the psychiatric problems of a family member.
Advice to People Who Have Psychiatric Problems
Recently DSM-IV Chair Allen Frances, MD wrote 50 pieces of advice to clinicians on how best to help their patients. It seems fitting, then, to provide an equal portion of advice for patients who seek help from those clinicians.
Advice to Young Psychiatrists From a Very Old One
Here it is-the 50 most important things Allen Frances, MD, has learned in over 50 years studying psychiatry.
Dungeons and Back Alleys: The Fate of the Mentally Ill in America
The “deinstitionalization” movement was meant to correct a stream of neglected patients, a demoralized and disengaged staff, and disappearing doctors. That didn't happen.
Restoring Respect to People With Mental Illness
It takes decisive action, not words, to really end stigma.
Mental Illness, Civil Liberty, and Common Sense
More than any other medical specialty, we sometimes feel compelled, and empowered, to treat patients against their will. With this comes two great responsibilities.
Privatizing Mental Health Has Led To ‘Insane Consequences’
We have criminalized mental health problems-a barbaric throwback to the dismal conditions before the Enlightenment.
Psychiatry and Anti-Psychiatry
In the opinion of the author, the psychiatry/anti-psychiatry rift has had a devastating effect on the lives of people with severe psychiatric problems.
Setting the Record Straight on Antipsychotics
Setting the record straight on what the literature does and does not say about long-term use of antipsychotics.
World's Best--And Worst--Places To Be Mentally Ill
Here's why Trieste is the place this psychiatrist would most want to be if he had a severe mental illness.
The Social Cure For Mental Illness
By failing to provide adequate care and housing for the mentally ill, we have condemned 350,000 to jails and 250,000 to the streets.
"We Should Live"- - Surviving After Catastrophic Death
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to how people and cultures should respond to overwhelming stress, depression, and trauma.
Is This the Kind of Country We Want to Be?
There has probably never been a worse place and worse time to have a severe mental illness than now in the United States. How did we get into this mess?
What Drives Our Disorganized Mental Health Policies?
We are the richest nation in the history of the world and yet we provide the worst care ever conceived for the severely ill who most need it.
A Checklist to Stop Misuse of Psychiatric Medication in Kids
The author suggests a checklist to help clinicians think through the necessary steps that should be part of every careful prescription of medication for children.
The Magical Healing Power of Caring and Hope in Psychotherapy
The major focus of effective therapy-to establish a healing relationship and to inspire hope.
Dying Well Means Dying at Home
There is no worse death than a hospital death. This requires preparation and preparation requires recognizing that dying is a necessary, and indeed desirable, part of life.