Diagnosis
This disorder involves intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations, leading to avoidance behaviors that interfere with daily life.
Specific Phobia
This psychodynamic therapy technique involves exploring unconscious thoughts, emotions, and past experiences to gain insight into current behaviors.
Psychoanalysis
This mathematician, portrayed in A Beautiful Mind, struggled with schizophrenia but made groundbreaking contributions to game theory.
John Nash
A type of conflict resolution where individuals work together to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
Sarah feels anxious before a big test. She takes deep breaths, focuses on the present moment, and names five things she can see around her. What coping skill is she using?
Grounding
This complex disorder is characterized by extreme mood instability, including periods of mania or hypomania followed by episodes of severe depression.
Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder
Developed by Carl Rogers, this therapeutic approach emphasizes unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence in fostering personal growth.
Person-Centered Therapy
This British singer, known for Back to Black, publicly battled addiction and an eating disorder before her tragic passing.
Amy Winehouse
This nonverbal communication behavior, often unconscious, occurs when someone mirrors another person’s gestures, speech patterns, or posture.
Mirroring
David is recovering from alcohol addiction. When he feels the urge to drink, he goes for a run, calls a friend, or listens to music instead. What is he practicing?
Healthy Distraction or Healthy Coping Skills
Individuals with this disorder often exhibit a lack of remorse, disregard for others' rights, and manipulative or deceitful behavior.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
A trauma-focused therapy that utilizes eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to help individuals process distressing memories.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
This famous novelist, who wrote Mrs. Dalloway, battled severe depression and is thought to have had bipolar disorder.
Virginia Woolf
This logical fallacy occurs when someone attacks a person’s character instead of addressing their argument.
Ad Hominem attack
Lisa often thinks, “I always mess up,” when she makes a mistake. Her therapist helps her change this thought to, “I made a mistake, but I can learn from it.” What technique is she using?
Cognitive Reframing or Challenging Negative Thoughts
This rare but severe disorder involves multiple distinct identities or personality states, often as a result of severe trauma.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Multiple Personality Disorder
A therapy based on mindfulness and behavior change that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them while committing to value-driven actions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
This Olympic gold medalist swimmer has been open about his struggles with depression and ADHD, advocating for mental health awareness.
Michael Phelps
A form of passive-aggressive communication where a person indirectly expresses negative emotions instead of addressing them directly.
Passive-Aggressive Behavior
Mia gets nervous in social situations and tends to avoid them. Her therapist encourages her to gradually face her fears by starting with small interactions, like saying hello to a neighbor. What is this technique?
Gradual Exposure
A disorder in which individuals experience persistent feelings of detachment from their own thoughts, body, or surroundings, often described as feeling like an outside observer of themselves.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder?
An experiential therapy that emphasizes present-moment awareness, personal responsibility, and resolving unfinished business, often using role-playing techniques.
Gestalt Therapy
This iconic horror writer, known for The Call of Cthulhu, suffered from severe social anxiety and agoraphobia, which influenced his dark storytelling.
s H.P. Lovecraft
Tom struggles with confrontation. Instead of directly expressing his feelings, he makes sarcastic comments and gives the silent treatment. What type of communication style is this?
Passive-Aggressive Communication
Carlos struggles with self-criticism. His therapist teaches him to talk to himself the way he would talk to a close friend—with kindness and encouragement. What is this skill called?
Self-Compassion