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An updated exploration of empathy's darker expressions and their representation in literature and psychology Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is typically viewed as...
An expanded exploration of literature and media's most manipulative empaths The world of fiction is rich with characters who demonstrate the troubling phenomenon of dark empathy—individuals who...
A comprehensive guide to recognizing the characteristics of those who weaponize emotional understanding In the landscape of human personality, few phenomena are as paradoxical—or as dangerous—as the...
How to identify when someone's understanding of you becomes a weapon As a therapist, I've seen countless clients who've been deeply wounded by relationships that started with the most intoxicating...
The Basics: Therapy vs Medication Studies show that both therapy and medication can be effective, but the best option really depends on your specific mental health condition, symptom severity, and...
Amber's Story Amber was the first-born child to her mother and father. By the time she turned five, her parents had four more children, and the weight of responsibility settled on Amber far too...
What Is Couples Therapy? Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help romantic partners improve their relationship, deepen their emotional connection, and navigate challenges...
What is EMDR Therapy? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals heal from trauma, distressing memories,...
What is Unresolved Trauma? Unresolved trauma refers to psychological and emotional distress that remains unprocessed or unhealed after a traumatic experience. When trauma is unresolved, the...
The human imagination has birthed our greatest artistic achievements, scientific breakthroughs, and technological innovations. Yet for those experiencing maladaptive daydreaming, this same creative...
Maladaptive daydreaming—the tendency to become absorbed in vivid, detailed fantasy worlds for hours at a time—can significantly disrupt daily functioning and relationships. While not yet officially...
When someone you love seems physically present but mentally elsewhere, the experience can range from puzzling to deeply painful. For partners of individuals with maladaptive daydreaming, this...
Balanced Mind is a psychotherapy and counseling center offering online therapy throughout New York. We specialize in Schema Therapy and EMDR Therapy. We work with insurance to provide our clients with both quality and accessible care.
An updated exploration of empathy's darker expressions and their representation in literature and psychology Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is typically viewed as one of humanity's most noble traits. It forms the foundation of...
An expanded exploration of literature and media's most manipulative empaths The world of fiction is rich with characters who demonstrate the troubling phenomenon of dark empathy—individuals who possess deep emotional intelligence but use it to manipulate, control, and...
A comprehensive guide to recognizing the characteristics of those who weaponize emotional understanding In the landscape of human personality, few phenomena are as paradoxical—or as dangerous—as the dark empath. These individuals possess a unique and troubling...
An updated exploration of empathy's darker expressions and their representation in literature and psychology Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is typically viewed as one of humanity's most noble traits. It forms the foundation of...
An expanded exploration of literature and media's most manipulative empaths The world of fiction is rich with characters who demonstrate the troubling phenomenon of dark empathy—individuals who possess deep emotional intelligence but use it to manipulate, control, and...
A comprehensive guide to recognizing the characteristics of those who weaponize emotional understanding In the landscape of human personality, few phenomena are as paradoxical—or as dangerous—as the dark empath. These individuals possess a unique and troubling...
How to identify when someone's understanding of you becomes a weapon As a therapist, I've seen countless clients who've been deeply wounded by relationships that started with the most intoxicating feeling imaginable: being truly, deeply understood. They describe...
The Basics: Therapy vs Medication Studies show that both therapy and medication can be effective, but the best option really depends on your specific mental health condition, symptom severity, and other factors. Here’s a quick rundown of how both treatments work:...
Amber's Story Amber was the first-born child to her mother and father. By the time she turned five, her parents had four more children, and the weight of responsibility settled on Amber far too soon. While other kids her age were playing with friends and exploring,...
What Is Couples Therapy? Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help romantic partners improve their relationship, deepen their emotional connection, and navigate challenges together. Whether couples are dating, engaged, cohabiting, or married, therapy...
What is EMDR Therapy? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals heal from trauma, distressing memories, and negative self-beliefs. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR...
What is Unresolved Trauma? Unresolved trauma refers to psychological and emotional distress that remains unprocessed or unhealed after a traumatic experience. When trauma is unresolved, the individual may continue to experience intense emotions, intrusive memories, or...
The human imagination has birthed our greatest artistic achievements, scientific breakthroughs, and technological innovations. Yet for those experiencing maladaptive daydreaming, this same creative faculty becomes both gift and burden—a wellspring of boundless...
Maladaptive daydreaming—the tendency to become absorbed in vivid, detailed fantasy worlds for hours at a time—can significantly disrupt daily functioning and relationships. While not yet officially recognized as a disorder in diagnostic manuals, research increasingly...
When someone you love seems physically present but mentally elsewhere, the experience can range from puzzling to deeply painful. For partners of individuals with maladaptive daydreaming, this scenario plays out repeatedly, creating unique relationship challenges that...
Introduction: The Discovery of a Unique Psychological Phenomenon In 2002, a groundbreaking paper published in the Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy introduced the world to a previously unnamed psychological phenomenon: maladaptive daydreaming. The term was coined...
Understanding Early Maladaptive Schemas and Maladaptive Daydreaming Maladaptive daydreaming—the immersive fantasy world that many individuals retreat to—can be deeply understood through Jeffrey Young's Schema Therapy model. This therapeutic framework provides profound...
The rich, immersive worlds created in maladaptive daydreaming rarely emerge by chance. Behind the elaborate storylines, recurring characters, and persistent themes lies a psychological blueprint—a map of emotional needs that often traces back to childhood experiences....
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is increasingly recognized as a complex psychological phenomenon that frequently co-occurs with other mental health conditions. While not yet formally classified as a disorder in diagnostic manuals, research indicates that MD rarely exists...
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a relatively newly recognized psychological phenomenon characterized by extensive fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and interferes with daily functioning. Since Eli Somer first described this condition in 2002, growing...
In recent years, maladaptive daydreaming (MD) has gained increasing recognition as a distinct psychological phenomenon that affects many individuals worldwide. As researchers delve deeper into understanding this condition, an important question has emerged: Should...
Have you ever found yourself lost in an elaborate fantasy world for hours, complete with complex characters and ongoing storylines? Do you sometimes pace, rock, or make facial expressions while immersed in these daydreams? Does your daydreaming interfere with your...
Overview: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is characterized by extensive fantasy activity that interferes with daily functioning. While all maladaptive daydreamers share the common experience of becoming deeply absorbed in their inner worlds, the content and patterns of...
Note: This essay contains spoilers for Season 3 episode 5 of White Lotus. We’re going to examine Sam Rockwell’s acclaimed Asian girl monologue from HBO Max’s The White Lotus through the lens of object relations, a school of thought in psychoanalytic theory that...
Mark S from Apple TV+’s Severance is a compelling fictionalized case study of extreme emotional state fragmentation. He and other Lumon employees elect to undergo the severance procedure which splits ones conscious awareness between ones innie work self and their...
Infidelity is one of the most challenging crises a couple can face. The discovery of an affair shatters trust, triggers intense emotions, and forces both partners to question the future of their relationship. As therapists specializing in relationship counseling, we...
Schema therapy offers a powerful framework for addressing systemic oppression and promoting social justice. By focusing on deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior, this approach provides unique insights into how societal inequities become internalized and...
Do you often feel overwhelmed by the world around you? Are you deeply moved by art or music? Do you need time alone to recharge after busy social situations? If so, you may be what psychologists call a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Sensory Processing Sensitivity...
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects approximately 6% of Americans at some point in their lives, yet many people don't recognize its symptoms or know where to find effective treatment. While commonly associated with combat veterans, PTSD can develop in anyone who...
When it comes to treating mental health disorders, particularly Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), several therapeutic approaches are available. Two of the most popular are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy. While both therapies have proven...
Daydreaming is a common and often harmless activity that most people engage in regularly. However, for some individuals, daydreaming can become excessive and interfere with daily life - a condition known as maladaptive daydreaming (MD). What is Maladaptive...
Have you ever felt an overwhelming, all-consuming attraction to someone that lasted for months or even years? Did thoughts of this person dominate your waking hours, affecting your mood, productivity, and relationships? If so, you may have experienced limerence - an...
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has emerged as a breakthrough in the field of psychotherapy. It is a unique, nontraditional form of psychotherapy designed to diminish negative feelings associated with memories of traumatic events. Unlike...
