The hottest Therapy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Can Therapy Be Bad For You?

Are You Okay? • 339 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Therapy may not work for everyone - some people may not see benefits from psychotherapy.
  2. Therapy effectiveness depends on willingness to challenge thoughts and behaviors, establish trust with the therapist, and be open to change.
  3. Acceptance, awareness, and taking agency are crucial in making therapy successful.

Loving amidst loss

Cozy Philosophy • 79 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The author shares a heartfelt reflection on navigating loss and grief, finding a balance between supporting loved ones and self-care.
  2. Art and writing can aid in processing emotions during difficult times, serving as a means of expression and release.
  3. Community support and therapeutic help are highlighted as valuable resources for coping with heavy emotions and embracing different perspectives.

Is CBT Superior?

Mental Disorder • 275 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may not be superior to other therapies for treating mental illnesses.
  2. Studies have shown that CBT is effective for depression but not significantly more effective than other psychotherapies.
  3. CBT's reputation as the "gold standard" may influence people to choose it, but other therapies may be just as effective.
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What Instagram Threads Reveals About Ourselves

Deep Fix • 275 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Therapy
  1. The hype around new social media apps like Instagram Threads may not lead to long-term success.
  2. Social media addiction can have negative consequences on individuals and society.
  3. Taking time to unplug and connect with local communities is important for overall well-being.

Tackling Imposter Syndrome: You’re Not Alone!

Mindful Matrix • 139 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Imposter syndrome is common - that feeling of not being good enough or like a fraud.
  2. Setting too high standards can lead to feeling like a failure even when you're doing well.
  3. To tackle imposter syndrome: remember it's just a feeling, celebrate your wins, talk about your feelings, learn from mistakes, and don't hesitate to seek help.

Learn from my mistakes

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 06 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. People with emotional challenges can manipulate others, sometimes unintentionally. It's important to recognize these patterns to protect yourself and others.
  2. Helping others out of sympathy might make you vulnerable to emotional abuse. It's okay to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being.
  3. Suffering is a part of life and can teach valuable lessons. It's important to be aware of your own triggers and motivations in relationships.

You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

Disaffected Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎙 Podcasts Therapy
  1. Therapy can help people understand their mental health better. It's important to find a therapist who truly understands the therapeutic process.
  2. Wokeness in the therapy field can sometimes distract from real therapy goals. Some therapists focus on affirming mental issues instead of addressing them.
  3. Awareness of Cluster B personality disorders is crucial in understanding modern life's challenges. Discussing these topics can improve society's view on mental health.

The Story Behind My New Book: Desire, Failure and DMT

The Bigger Picture • 898 implied HN points • 04 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Participating in a study on psychedelics like DMT led to a transformative experience and a book deal.
  2. The book 'The Bigger Picture' explores how psychedelics can help us navigate current societal challenges.
  3. The journey of pursuing writing, facing failures, and eventually landing a book deal showcases the importance of persistence and adapting to change.

Time to Upgrade to Full-blown Aluminum Hazmat Suits

Deep Fix • 216 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Social media is a major cause of mental illness in teen girls and screen addiction has negative consequences for many.
  2. Quality podcast interviews can lead to insightful conversations on topics like addiction and healing.
  3. Aesthetics are important for storytelling, emphasizing the value of human-made art over AI-generated creations.

Is Ketamine Psychedelic?

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The definition of what makes a substance psychedelic is changing, with ketamine now being considered part of the psychedelic therapy.
  2. The debate over whether ketamine is psychedelic focuses on the chemistry/pharmacology versus subjective experience of the drug.
  3. Ketamine induces mind-revealing states through its unique impact on the brain, even though it doesn't directly target the 5HT2A serotonin receptors like classical psychedelics.

"Euphoric Nothingness:" The Dichotomy of Dissociation & Healing

Tripsitter • 199 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Dissociative drugs like ketamine offer a paradoxical healing potential by inducing a state of 'euphoric nothingness' that allows for self-reflection and identification of suppressed truths.
  2. Integration after dissociative experiences is crucial for long-term success, involving techniques like journaling, talk therapy, meditation, and self-care practices to make sense of insights and apply them to daily life.
  3. Ketamine therapy should be approached with caution and only through reputable clinics that prioritize integration and multiple sessions, avoiding clinics with red flags like lack of information or poor design.

Cybernetics: The Key to a Unifying Framework for Psychology

Mind & Mythos • 299 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Psychology lacks a unifying framework like biology's evolutionary theory. This makes it hard to connect different areas of psychology effectively.
  2. Human personality can be explained using the Big Five traits, which show how people behave and react. These traits can also help us understand mental illness.
  3. Psychopathology, or mental illness, happens when there's a breakdown in managing personal goals. It's linked to how we handle challenges based on our personality traits.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A Cybernetic Perspective

Mind & Mythos • 259 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helps people deal with mental health issues by changing negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on understanding one’s feelings and gradually facing fears to feel better.
  2. The Cybernetic Theory of Psychopathology suggests that mental health issues relate to how well a person's goals and strategies match their experiences. If a person struggles to meet their goals, it can lead to anxiety and depression.
  3. In therapy, helping clients identify their goals and tackle their negative thoughts is key. Techniques like behavioral experiments and scheduling enjoyable activities can help clients regain confidence and improve their mood.

Mind Expansion Needs Guidance: The Call for Psychedelic Practitioners

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Guiding psychedelic experiences requires skilled support and effort, not just a quick fix mindset.
  2. The focus should be on supporting the use of existing psychedelics, rather than just creating new drugs.
  3. There is a growing demand for knowledgeable and empathetic psychedelic practitioners to assist with mental health conditions and guide people through the psychedelic experience.

Hard Feelings

Finding Joy • 137 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Emotions are not inherently good or bad, and avoiding uncomfortable feelings can lead to more heartache in the long run.
  2. Embrace and acknowledge a wide range of emotions, as they provide valuable information and serve important purposes.
  3. Different emotions like sadness, anger, regret, guilt, anxiety, envy, and loneliness each have their unique signals and ways to handle them effectively.

Ironic Rebound

Brain Lenses • 78 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. When we try to suppress a thought, it tends to resurface in our consciousness even more.
  2. Accepting and focusing on unwanted feelings may prevent them from intensifying.
  3. Refocusing our attention and investing in distractions can help deal with preoccupying thoughts more productively.

Friday Q&A: Correcting internal narratives about Weight; Alcohol & Social Anxiety; Unknown Family History; Hormones & Heart Disease; & “Keto” Dieting

Are You Okay? • 139 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Shame around eating can lead to complicated relationships with food and body image. It's important to rewrite the script by understanding that weight doesn't equate to worth and food is essential for fuel.
  2. Anxiety and social challenges can sometimes lead to coping mechanisms like alcohol use, which can have negative impacts on health. It's crucial to find ways to socialize and connect with others without relying on substances.
  3. Listening to hunger cues, experiencing satiety, and meeting basic biological needs are important steps in breaking the cycle of body shame. Tools like Ozempic can be helpful for managing weight and providing a sense of agency.

The Psychedelic Trojan Horse

The Bigger Picture • 679 implied HN points • 19 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Psychedelics are emerging as a beacon of hope in addressing global mental health crises, showing promising results in therapy and treatment.
  2. The sacred encounter through psychedelics can lead to deep personal and cultural transformations, expanding perspectives and connections to reality.
  3. It's crucial to maintain a balance between mainstreaming psychedelics and preserving their sacred origins, ensuring ethical practices and honoring indigenous knowledge.

"Je ne sais pas remonter le moral des gens"

L'Atelier Galita • 279 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. When someone is sad, it's important to show care and concern, not just trying to make them feel better.
  2. Understanding and listening without judgment are key actions to support someone struggling emotionally.
  3. Ask the person what they need instead of assuming, as it shows genuine care and provides guidance on how to help.

What's Eating You?

Are You Okay? • 119 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and disordered eating is common, highlighting the importance of understanding one's past for a healthier relationship with food.
  2. Health involves awareness, acceptance, and agency over our lives, going beyond just weight or BMI. It's about acknowledging and dealing with complex emotions and experiences.
  3. For individuals struggling with disordered eating, seeking support from mental health and nutrition professionals, practicing mindfulness, and incorporating enjoyable physical activity can be key steps towards healing.

Are Fertility & Femininity Inseparable?

Are You Okay? • 139 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Fertility struggles can have significant physical, emotional, and social impacts, and it's common for individuals and couples to face emotional challenges during infertility treatments.
  2. Infertility is more common than many realize, affecting around 10-15% of couples worldwide and about 12% of married women in the U.S. Seeking support and healthy coping strategies is important.
  3. Health is about more than fertility - it involves awareness, acceptance, and agency. Reframing fertility challenges as a journey of self-discovery can be empowering for individuals.

Alexander Shulgin's Greatest Psychedelic Hits

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Alexander Shulgin, known as 'the godfather of psychedelics,' created hundreds of psychedelic compounds, with 6 standing out as his favorites, named the 'magical half-dozen.'
  2. Shulgin's work revolutionized the field of designer drugs and led to the exploration of thousands of psychoactive substances.
  3. Shulgin's approach to testing new compounds was meticulous, starting with low doses and gradually increasing, emphasizing safety and understanding the threshold dose for each substance.

Depressing, Not Depressed

Situation Normal • 128 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. There's a big difference between feeling depressed by what's happening around us and actually being depressed. You can be upset about the news but still feel okay inside.
  2. Taking care of your mental health is important. Things like therapy, medication, and yoga can help you feel stronger and more resilient.
  3. It's possible to face dark times and still come out okay. You can experience tough moments without letting them define how you feel about yourself.

i want to be good but i am bad - help?

Both Are True • 369 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Humans are complex and contain a mix of traits, both positive and negative.
  2. It's possible to have moments of self-awareness and growth, even if struggling with mental health and past traumas.
  3. Accepting and acknowledging our flaws, while striving to be better, is a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

Opposite Action

Brain Lenses • 58 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. In times of emotional overwhelm, consider doing the opposite of what you feel like doing.
  2. When overloaded with emotions, our cravings may lead us to actions that make us feel worse.
  3. Research shows that when feeling down, indulging in sad music can intensify the sadness.

Rediscovery Of The Obvious

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The breakdown and recovery of human connection is a complex process involving biological, psychological, and social factors.
  2. Connection can be categorized into three main areas: self, other, and world, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for growth.
  3. Connecting with oneself involves lovingly witnessing and accepting one's thoughts, feelings, body, and behavior, which can be facilitated by practices like mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and artistic pursuits.

Spring Cleaning Season

Mindset Mastery • 98 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The author is going through a big life and career change, experimenting with adding people to their business, and transitioning from a solo-preneurial venture to running their business more like an agency
  2. Financially, the experiment is successful, but emotionally, the author is navigating complex feelings about safety, support, scarcity, control, and mistakes
  3. The author's older, wiser self advises to stay the course, emphasizing that this transition is significant for growth and emotional well-being, even if it feels uncomfortable

Cybernetic communication

Methexis • 98 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Therapy
  1. Exploring emotions physically can lead to self-transformation.
  2. AI therapists might not be able to match human emotional understanding.
  3. AI collaboration can offer unique, efficient, and profound ways of communication beyond human capabilities.

You got some OCD, bro?

Psychology Onions • 98 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. OCD can be a strange thing to bond over.
  2. Connecting with someone due to OCD can feel awkward, like awkwardly trying to relate to someone who your partner cheated on you with.
  3. Consider seeking resources and strategies to help manage OCD.

15. How can Expanding Awareness Boost Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Insight Axis • 98 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and emotions, choosing valued directions, and taking meaningful actions, different from traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
  2. ACT aims to improve psychological flexibility through de-fusion, acceptance, presence, observing the self, values, and committed action.
  3. Incorporating Alexander Technique (Expanded Awareness) with ACT involves modifying acronyms like FENCE and PEACE to enhance awareness, acknowledge emotions, and engage in activities mindfully.

Are you solving the right problem? | #10

pole • 137 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Chop down the tree (take action) and sharpen the axe (reflect) at the same time for balance.
  2. Spending too much time on either action (doing vs. reflecting) can be detrimental.
  3. Switching between action and reflection is key to solving problems effectively.