Category Archives: Counseling Concepts

Therapeutic Journaling

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Dr Joseph Russo

I have kept journals over the years. At times, I called them My Management Journal, then later, My Daily Record of Events. My inspiration was no less than good old Benjamin Franklin who maintained what he called his Virtues: Daily … Continue reading →

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Your Relationship Just Ended – Now What?

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Dr Joseph Russo

          In my work as a therapist and as a Life Coach (more the latter), I work with clients suffering through unsatisfying or deteriorating (or broken) relationships. My own belief is that much of the tumult … Continue reading →

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Assertiveness – a Primer

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Dr Joseph Russo

One of the downsides to being an Introvert was, for me, an inability to assert myself. I stumbled for words, which only reinforced the idea that I couldn’t do it. Or I wasn’t confident enough in my position or convicted … Continue reading →

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Individuation – Separating from Our Parents

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Dr Joseph Russo

I begin this post with a quote from Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life, in which he summarizes the reasons for, and the process of, separating from our parents: The infant is dependent on his parents for almost everything he … Continue reading →

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Dr Russo’s Review of Cognitive Distortions: How to Think like a Mature Adult

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Dr Joseph Russo

          In my practice, as I am sure other therapists do, I have treated many clients who present with clinically significant distress that, if not wholly based on distortive thinking, is largely the result of so-called … Continue reading →

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Want to Let Go of Someone Else’s Addiction? The Answer is Detachment.

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Dr Joseph Russo

I wrote this post many years ago when in the midst of training to become a mental health counselor. It is worth another read.  In my own life I have struggled with a close family member who drinks too much. … Continue reading →

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Let Us Get Serious About the Common Project

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Dr Joseph Russo

I don’t know about you but ever since Nietzsche decreed that God was dead, I have been struck by how people have become their own little universes. Which is to say, they belong to nothing other than themselves (to wit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling Concepts, Depression, General Musings, State of the Nation | 1 Comment

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Dr Joseph Russo

              The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Mark Manson is the author of a terrific New York Times bestselling book entitled The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. In his book, … Continue reading →

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Living a Meaningful Life

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Dr Joseph Russo

For my students: Living a Significant Life When many people discuss what they want to achieve, they talk about being “successful.” In their view of the world, success is the ultimate goal in life. But have you ever thought about taking … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Counseling Concepts, General Musings | 5 Comments

How to Think like an Adult: Dr Russo’s Review of Cognitive Distortions

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Dr Joseph Russo

This is a rather long post, intended for clients and students as an adjunct to what I’ve covered in sessions or classes. It is a repeat of a much earlier post (from 2016) and is worth re-reading. In my practice … Continue reading →

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