A Relational, Humanistic Critique of the “Dopamine Hole” SEO meta description A concise relational, humanistic critique of the popular “dopamine hole” self-help video from Newel of Knowledge, exploring what it gets right, what it oversimplifies, and how people in...
Relational Psychotherapy
A Relational, Humanistic Critique of the “Dopamine Hole”
Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame – Reflections from a Relational Therapist
Introduction Working with clients who carry a persistent sense of shame often reveals how deeply these experiences are rooted in early relational patterns. Patricia DeYoung’s Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame (2015) offers a thoughtful and clinically grounded...
Why Questions Feel Like Criticism in the Schizoid Process
People whose internal world is organised around a schizoid process [this is jargon for people who need a lot of safety in their life] often experience ordinary questions as criticism. This reaction is not about being ‘overly sensitive’, nor is it a sign of...
The Dangers of Using AI as a Therapist: When Speed Becomes a Threat
AI is being used in increasingly sophisticated ways to simulate human conversation and provide mental health support. While some apps and chatbots can offer valuable companionship or coping tools, using AI as a substitute for human psychotherapy carries significant...
Healing Shame Through Relationship: A Relational Psychotherapy Perspective
Shame is a deeply painful emotion that arises when we feel we are fundamentally flawed or unworthy of acceptance, love, or belonging. It differs from guilt in that guilt often pertains to regret over a specific action—“I did something wrong”—while shame is a pervasive...
Exploring Erskine’s 8 Relational Needs: Building Connection in Psychotherapy
In psychotherapy, the focus often lies on fostering connection and understanding. Richard G. Erskine’s eight relational needs offer a practical framework for understanding human relationships and guiding therapeutic work. These needs help therapists and clients alike...
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