Columnists
Psychology at the ballpark
By Alan Bodnar Ph.D.
When the pace of work in the psychology department of a busy psychiatric hospital becomes almost too hectic to manage, I watch a baseball game. On a special occasion, I go to...
The psychologist’s role as expert witness
By Edward Stern J.D.
At times, a psychologist will be called upon to be an “expert” witness in a case that may proceed to a court trial. Today in the United States, although the figures vary...
Was justice served in Phoebe Prince case?
By Edward Stern J.D.
What is justice? This question has been the basis of a debate since the conclusion of the cases resulting from the harassment and suicide of Phoebe Prince in South Hadley,...
The inventory of terrible things
By Alan Bodnar Ph.D.
When American architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase, “Form follows function” in 1896, he certainly wasn’t thinking about how psychologists would be doing risk...
The games therapists play
By Mitch Abblett Ph.D.
Tug-of-war is a silly game – all of that straining in order to move a rope a few yards. If you’ve ever played, the whole thing seems pointless, yet it is so easily...
How to love the job you have
By Alan Bodnar Ph.D.
When I ended last month’s column with the challenge to reconcile the work of psychology with the demands of available jobs, I realize now that I was being much too...
Who do we think we are?
By Alan Bodnar Ph.D.
You would think by now I would know what to expect when a room full of psychologists meets to discuss issues bearing on our professional identity. Then why do I still come away...
Finding a new way to listen
By Alan Bodnar Ph.D.
It’s the kind of conversation that might occur anywhere two reasonably sociable strangers find themselves sharing time together waiting for something to happen – a...
Arizona shootings raise legal reporting issues
By Edward Stern J.D.
On Saturday, Jan. 8, there was a horrific event in Tucson, Arizona where it is alleged that Jared Loughner shot into a crowd of people who met in a supermarket shopping area to...
Cultural competence and Groundhog Day
By Alan Bodnar Ph.D.
If you ever need a demonstration of the importance of cultural competence, just imagine yourself in psychotherapy in a country that doesn’t celebrate Groundhog Day. You...