Category Archives: General Musings

Just a general post, of no specific import, and which I will use from time to time to make quick comments.

How Would You Like People to Describe You? (Avoiding Backdoor Braggadocio)

Posted on November 4, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

I work with clients whose answer to that question is always in the negative. They will say things like, “Oh, they probably think I’m a boor,” or, “uninspiring.” Vocabulary aside (after all, you don’t hear the word boor used in … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Counseling Concepts, General Musings, List Making | Comments Off on How Would You Like People to Describe You? (Avoiding Backdoor Braggadocio)

More on Resilience

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

                Somewhere in my Internet surfing, I came across the above graphic on resilience. I love the way it puts the skills into six simple domains. I especially like the part about composure … Continue reading →

Posted in General Musings | 1 Comment

Resilience – Having Lost at Love (and The Little Engine that Could)

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

If we can love deeply, and most of us can, then why shouldn’t a break-up take months or even years to get over? And, for that matter, what does “get over” really mean?  Maybe we never get over it, but … Continue reading →

Posted in General Musings | Comments Off on Resilience – Having Lost at Love (and The Little Engine that Could)

An Open Letter to My Clients – Past, Present, and Future

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

In my work as a Distance Counselor (using the precepts of tele-mental health), I am often asked by my clients if they e-mail me too much. My answer is always, no. I make it clear that they are free to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Musings | Comments Off on An Open Letter to My Clients – Past, Present, and Future

On Fear, Anxiety, and That Sense of Being Overwhelmed: Working Hard to be a Failure

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

I have been reflecting on a couple of therapy sessions I had today and upon the homework I’d given my clients. It all began when my first client revealed their feeling of being overwhelmed. Then, later, another client expressed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Counseling Concepts, General Musings | 1 Comment

Re-Reading Seneca

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

Glancing through a book I have on the life of Lucius Annaeus Seneca (or, most simply, Seneca), I am reminded of all that this great Stoic has to teach us in the modern day. Born nearly 2,000 years ago, this was … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Counseling Concepts, General Musings | Comments Off on Re-Reading Seneca

Smile and the Whole World Smiles Along

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

This post will be about smiling. You know – the opposite of frowning. In fact, I am smiling as I write this. My wife says I have an impish smile. I think she has a radiant smile. But I know … Continue reading →

Posted in General Musings | 1 Comment

Fair Fighting Rules

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

I am often asked, “What is fair in the fights my husband and I have?” Let’s face it, every invention of man must carry some rules to help define it. Think of the operating manuals you get with the coffee … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling Concepts, General Musings | 2 Comments

Enantiodromia – Moving to Extremes

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

Enantiodromia – or, how to play on the see-saw all by yourself. This article examines a number of subjects including Carl Jung’s notion of enantiodromia, cognitive dissonance, with a little Rogerian incongruity thrown in for good measure. As always, let … Continue reading →

Posted in General Musings | 1 Comment

Depression Could be A Physical Reaction to Stress

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Dr Joseph Russo

Some theorists in psychotherapy have long held that depression is choice. To some extent, they are right insofar as attitude is a key determinant to overall mental health and well-being. William Glasser, pictured here, posited that depression could be recast … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling Concepts, General Musings | Comments Off on Depression Could be A Physical Reaction to Stress