Understanding Autistic Masking
by Melissa Dellens, MA, LMFT, TRM-1 Truly being oneself in the presence of others can be a scary prospect. Concerns about safety and acceptance are valid. Everyone holds some tension about how “real” they can be with those around them. This conflict is even bigger for Autistic people whose behavior and ways of communicating are...
4 Barriers to Affirmative Clinic Change
Originally Published by Melissa Dellens, MA, LMFT at The Affirmative Couch on June 9, 2021 Revised by Justice Johnson, MS, AMFT on February 14, 2026 Gerald Caplan is seminal in developing some of the early theories of consulting work (Caplan, 1960). Caplan worked in Israel after World War II. He provided mental health support to...
3 Ways Political & Minority Stress Affects Bi and Pan Women
by Leigh Huggins, MA, AMFT How the next four years could impact sexual minority women Amidst the current political focus and minority stress from attacks on transgender healthcare and civil rights, it is important to acknowledge the potential effects of a conservative government on sexual minority women (SMW). SMW include any person with a...
What are the features of psychoanalytic psychotherapy?
Shelder (2010) describes what is in common with all the theories that fall under the umbrella of psychodynamic or psychoanalytic: 1. Focus on affect and expression of emotion Unlike other theories that explore thoughts, behaviors, or systems, psychoanalytic psychotherapy focuses on feelings. Not just negative feelings, but positive ones, conflicted feelings, and ones that may...