The hottest Therapy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Can you write yourself right?

Your Midlife Matters with Alana Kirk, the Midlife Coach • 39 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. In times of struggle, reaching out for help, therapy, and self-reflection can be key to rebuilding and reconnecting with oneself.
  2. Journaling, even if just a few words a day, is a powerful tool for self-discovery and processing emotions.
  3. Building a consistent journaling habit, whether morning, evening, or in moments of need, can transform your relationship with yourself and empower you to live authentically.

Healing Hypocrisy: A Closer Look at Mail-Order Ketamine Therapy

Tripsitter • 79 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Ketamine, a potent drug with therapeutic potential, needs to be administered alongside high-quality therapy.
  2. Online ketamine therapy companies often downplay the risks of ketamine and focus on selling the drug rather than holistic treatment.
  3. Ketamine can be habit-forming and cause bladder damage when used irresponsibly or without proper medical oversight.

Can AI Help Us With Our Mental Health Issues?

Bojan’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people change their mental perspective to overcome psychological problems like depression and anxiety.
  2. CBT is well-researched but requires frequent and prolonged use, which can be challenging to sustain.
  3. Generative AI could assist in mental health by creating realistic conversation partners to track and improve mental health states.

2022 Annual (Meta)Review

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Reflecting on and reviewing the past year is important for personal growth and self-awareness.
  2. Consistency in journaling, planning, and reflecting can be a valuable tool for personal development and understanding oneself.
  3. Engaging in activities that promote collaboration, creativity, learning, and spirituality can lead to meaningful personal growth and fulfillment.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Abigail Shrier: Letters to the Editor

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 227 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Abigail Shrier's book has sparked discussion on mental health, particularly regarding the harm mental health professionals may unintentionally cause to young people.
  2. Intergenerational trauma is a controversial topic, with experiences like Holocaust survivors' children showing different responses that may not align with traditional perspectives.
  3. There are varying opinions on how modern parenting styles and educational systems impact young people's mental health and development, with some believing that constant self-focus can be detrimental.

Boundaries, property, and other words I don't love using about my heart

Soaring Twenties • 69 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. People often talk a lot about boundaries in relationships, but this language can make it hard to truly connect with each other. Instead of just drawing lines, we should open up and allow for more intimacy.
  2. The idea of having boundaries can protect us from being hurt, but it might also keep us isolated and lonely. It's important to balance protecting ourselves with allowing others in.
  3. Learning to communicate our feelings directly, rather than relying on boundary talk, can help build deeper connections and mutual understanding in relationships.

Neural Annealing: Directing Psychedelic Trips Towards Healing (25/30)

psychotechnology • 5 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The mind is like a lattice of beliefs that can get stuck, and adding ‘heat’ lets those stuck parts loosen so the system can settle into a healthier arrangement.
  2. Psychedelics can act as that heat, melting rigid or traumatic beliefs and allowing new, more accurate views to form — but they work best when you intentionally direct the process rather than just watching visuals.
  3. You need skills and safeguards: cultivate tolerance for uncertainty, body-based awareness, and therapeutic practices, start with small doses and good set/setting, and respect that these tools can be both powerful and risky.

self-abandonment

bookbear express • 143 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Learning to experience emotions in a new way involves understanding self-abandonment and its impact on personal well-being.
  2. The fear of abandonment is often rooted in the idea of abandoning oneself rather than fearing being abandoned by others.
  3. Personal challenges often stem from one's own attitude towards oneself, rather than solely from external influences.

Storytelling

Heart Speak by Susan of Agile Hearts • 39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Storytelling is a powerful way to connect and share experiences with others.
  2. Sharing our stories can help us feel less lonely, build a sense of belonging, and connect with others.
  3. Opening up and sharing our stories takes courage, but it can lead to personal growth and connection with others.

Why Some People Change and Others Don't

Stream of Subconsciousness • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Flexibility is key to change; be brutally honest and put everything on the table for real transformation.
  2. Seek guidance from trusted voices to encourage exploration from a new perspective, draining hesitance and uncertainty.
  3. Change awareness through hypnotherapy, cognitive therapy, or brainwave training to disrupt old ways of thinking and find new paths.

Why comparing is despairing

The Reset by Sam Delaney • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Comparing yourself to others can lead to skewed perspectives. Don't judge your habits based on others' actions.
  2. Focus on how alcohol makes you feel and its impact on your life to determine if you have a problem.
  3. It's essential to ask yourself critical questions about your relationship with drinking to assess if it's affecting you negatively.

Can We Talk About Adult ADHD?

The Reclamation Era • 39 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Many adults wonder if they have ADHD, especially those who felt different or struggled with attention in school. It's common to want a diagnosis but also feel unsure about whether it’s necessary.
  2. Life can be really overwhelming for many people today, making it hard to distinguish between ADHD and general stress. Everyone feels scattered and busy, but it doesn’t always mean they have a condition.
  3. Questions about ADHD often arise from personal experience, and many seek understanding and connection with others facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences can help untangle feelings of confusion and inadequacy.

R U OK with R U OK day?

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. R U OK? Day is an initiative in Australia that promotes suicide prevention by encouraging people to ask others if they are okay.
  2. While the sentiment behind R U OK? Day is important, it highlights the need for deeper systemic support beyond individual efforts.
  3. Addressing mental well-being requires more than just asking a simple question, it calls for tangible actions like improving access to therapy, medication, housing, and employment.

Why do I cringe at the sound of my own voice?

Low Fidelity • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Many people cringe at the sound of their own voice due to differences in self-perception and extra-linguistic cues.
  2. Listening more to recordings of your voice can help desensitize you to the discomfort.
  3. Accepting your voice as it actually sounds can lead to a breakthrough in self-acceptance and resilience.

Could LLM psychiatrists be better than meat ones?

Aliveness Studies • 3 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Some psychiatrists may not provide thorough care during sessions, which can leave patients feeling unheard. It's important for mental health professionals to take time to understand their patients' feelings better.
  2. Using a large language model (LLM) and established guidelines, like the Maudsley, can give patients access to more up-to-date and evidence-based information regarding their treatment. This can help patients make informed decisions about their medications.
  3. While LLMs shouldn't fully replace psychiatrists, they could be a helpful tool for patients to get more insights and support alongside traditional care. Combining technology with medical expertise might improve overall mental health treatment.

Russell Glass (CEO, Headspace Health)

The Takeoff • 59 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Meditation helps to de-stigmatize mental health by making it more accessible and reframing the issue.
  2. Headspace Health has partnered with major healthcare providers like Cigna and Kaiser Permanente to expand access to mental health services.
  3. Creating a platform that combines mindfulness, therapy, and medication can provide significant value to employers and drive engagement.

I wish I'd gotten help sooner

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 32 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. It's important to seek help when you're struggling. Waiting too long can lead to deeper issues like depression.
  2. Talking to a professional can help you see unhelpful thinking patterns that drain your energy.
  3. Finding the right support is tough but necessary. It's better to address your struggles early rather than suffer in silence.

Rage as a friend

Square Circle • 11 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Rage can be seen as a friend rather than a problem. By acknowledging your anger, you can learn to deal with it better.
  2. Giving your anger away to others won't help in the long run. It's important to own your feelings instead of projecting them onto someone else.
  3. Experiencing anger can actually protect against feelings of depression. Embracing your emotions, including anger, can lead to a more balanced mental state.

Don't call it a vacation

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 19 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Taking a break from work can lead to unexpected and meaningful accomplishments.
  2. Disconnecting from external noise can help one reconnect with their inner self through activities like meditation and therapy.
  3. Achieving small yet meaningful tasks during a break can have a positive impact on mental health and overall well-being.

Thoughts on Therapy

The Carousel • 33 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Therapy often feels repetitive and doesn't lead to real solutions. It can sometimes feel like you're just getting vague compliments without any real help.
  2. Career coaching can actually be more useful than traditional therapy. It focuses on specific goals and practical improvements in your life.
  3. Organized religion is seen as a deeper, more meaningful practice than therapy. It provides structure and purpose that therapy lacks.

How AI Can Enhance Daily Journaling

Thoughts on Living • 19 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🕹 Technology Therapy
  1. Daily introspective journaling offers immense benefits like improved narrative thinking and communication.
  2. Large Language Models (LLMs) can enhance journaling by providing individualized writing prompts and acting as a journaling assistant.
  3. LLMs bring a new dynamic to reviewing past journal entries, automating the process of generating insights and asking specific questions for self-reflection.

Who Am I Hypnotizing? ($)

Stream of Subconsciousness • 19 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Hypnosis involves a complex internal state rather than a straightforward process.
  2. The concept of multiple observers and identities challenges our understanding of consciousness.
  3. Our personalities are layered structures that change based on the situation, revealing different aspects of ourselves.

🥟 Chao-Down #78 Hackers use generative AI to create malware, Google introduces AI-powered privacy platform, ChatGPT begins giving therapy

Chaos Theory • 19 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology Therapy
  1. Hackers are using generative AI to create malware, making it harder for cybersecurity professionals to detect and defend against these attacks.
  2. Google introduces an AI-powered privacy platform called Checks.
  3. ChatGPT is starting to give therapy, potentially revolutionizing mental health care.

Body and Mind: Exercises and Therapies for Constipation Relief(Part 4/5)

Gutsphere - Your Ultimate Guide to Optimal Gut Health • 19 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Pelvic floor exercises like Kegels and squats can help with constipation relief.
  2. Biofeedback therapy can teach how to control muscles in the rectum and anus to manage constipation.
  3. Mind-body exercises like breathing, meditation, and yoga can promote a healthy digestive system and relieve constipation.

The Subtle Importance of Affect ($)

Stream of Subconsciousness • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Affect is key in how you present yourself to others, through the ability to express emotion in a way that is understood.
  2. A person's affect can influence how they are perceived and understood by others, impacting trust and deeper motivations.
  3. Rapport can have both positive and negative aspects, reflecting how individuals express themselves and are understood by others.

What flew down the stairs

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. Breathing properly can help decompress your spine. Inhaling expands your rib cage and can ease some of the pressure on your back.
  2. Bouncing can use gravity to your advantage. When you bounce, you tap into the natural energy that can help stretch and decompress the spine.
  3. Finding the right posture is key for a strong core. Flexing your core and relaxing your shoulders while breathing can help maintain a straight, strong spine.

Do Less to Heal. Do More to Grow? ($)

Stream of Subconsciousness • 19 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. In Western society, there is a tendency to equate power and wealth with health, which can lead to a skewed view of mental health.
  2. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual encourages making distinctions based on personal impairment and cultural expectations, but this may lead to confusion and a lack of understanding of underlying causes.
  3. Counseling and coaching are often kept separate in Western social norms, contributing to the reward of psychopathology and the suppression of individual expression based on societal expectations.

Who Guides the Guide? The Wild West of Psychedelic Coaching

Tripsitter • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. In the field of psychedelic coaching, there are varying levels of experience and training among guides, from traditional shamans to underground guides.
  2. Certification programs are emerging to increase access to psychedelic treatment, but the necessity of firsthand psychedelic experience for facilitators is a debated topic.
  3. The future of psychedelic therapy includes efforts to create accountability and standardization, such as ethical reputation scoring systems for facilitators and guides.

Not Being Absurd

Living Fossils • 11 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Therapy
  1. The world can be really absurd and confusing, and this makes it hard to find sanity. Sometimes, people act weird not because they are silly, but because they're trying to make sense of a strange situation.
  2. Therapists are supposed to help people understand their feelings and lives, but sometimes they make things more complicated by sticking to fixed ideas or styles of therapy. It's important for them to be open and honest instead of pretending to have all the answers.
  3. In an increasingly complex world, what many people really want is someone who can relate to their struggles and help them feel less crazy. Therapists should aim to connect on a personal level, rather than just find solutions based on rigid methods.