Articles from the 2021 Winter Issue of The National Psychologist

Pandemic spurs interest in walk-and-talk therapy

By Kathy Lynn Gray, Associate Editor
January 6, 2021 - Last updated: January 5, 2021

While most psychologists have flocked to online therapy because of COVID-19, a few lucky practitioners have another alternative: walk-and-talk therapy. Walking with patients while talking with them for clinical sessions isn’t new – at least one New York social worker has been doing it for years. But in a worldwide pandemic where outdoor togetherness is […]

Continue Reading

Cybersecurity for telehealth in the home office

By Roy Huggins, LPC NCC
January 5, 2021

In March, COVID-19 forced us all to either start operating by telehealth or stop serving clients. The field adjusted quickly and admirably. However, there is now a need for clinicians to develop our basic skills – and legal-ethical compliance – around the security of our home-based telehealth offices. Like any clinical workspace, home offices need […]

Continue Reading

Psychotherapy, embodiment and the Dharma

By Bryant Welch, Ph.D., JD
January 5, 2021

These are dark days. And more than anything else it is the stability of the human mind that will determine our outcome. Trying to understand the mind as we psychologists do is a humbling task. And trying […]

Continue Reading

Talk of risks, side effects may lead to nocebo effect

By Bruce Borkosky, Psy.D, PA
January 5, 2021

Appropriate informed consent requires disclosure of the proposed treatment, the risks and benefits of that treatment, the risks and benefits of not proceeding, and alternatives to the treatment. This practice has become widely accepted, primarily because it supports patients’ autonomy. However, perfect autonomy is impossible because there are always factors influencing non-rational decision making. Further, […]

Continue Reading

Dreams can be valuable in therapy

By Leslie Ellis, Ph.D.
January 5, 2021

Clinical dreamwork and the science of dreaming are separate worlds that rarely cross-fertilize. However, those who work with dreams in clinical practice have much to gain from current dream research findings. We now know much more about the nature and purpose of dreaming than we did even a decade ago, and this new information strengthens […]

Continue Reading

Geropsychologists find success, satisfaction with all manner of online training

By Paula Hartman-Stein, Ph.D.
January 5, 2021

While many psychologists who provide behavioral health services to older adults are bemoaning 2021 Medicare cuts, online gero-entrepreneurs are helping older adults, family caregivers and staff in long-term care in locations around the world and getting paid for their expertise – with no dependence on insurance and without leaving home. Training webinars conducted through Zoom, […]