Articles

Attention Teenagers and Parents

A humorous message for teenagers who think they know everything — and the parents who love them anyway.

A Quick Primer on Overcoming Depression

Understanding the difference between sadness and depression, what you can do about it, and when to seek help.

Relationships: Intimate vs. Dysfunctional

January 25, 2015

A comparison of healthy intimate relationships versus dysfunctional patterns.

The Invitation

A beautiful poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer about what an intimate relationship can be like.

Hitting Bottom In Addiction: The Only Way To Go Is Down

What does it mean to hit rock bottom? Understanding low-bottoms, high-bottoms, denial, and the path to recovery.

Addiction Defined

January 26, 2015

What is addiction? Understanding the disease, denial, and the official clinical definition of substance dependence.

To Let Go

A reflection on what it truly means to let go — not to stop caring, but to love more.

What is Perfection?

January 22, 2014

Perfection vs. Excellence — a powerful comparison that reframes how we think about growth and achievement.

What is Procrastination?

September 1, 2009

Dr. Gore’s definitive article on procrastination. It will be published shortly.

How to Raise a Juvenile Delinquent

January 29, 2015

A satirical guide from the Houston Police Department on exactly what NOT to do as a parent.

Checklist for Hidden Anger

January 22, 2014

A checklist to help determine if you are hiding anger from yourself, with insights on recognizing and discharging buried resentments.

On Feelings

Understanding the difference between thinking and feeling, with short, medium, and long lists to help you identify your emotions.

Passive Assertive Aggressive Behavior

Understanding the spectrum from passive to assertive to aggressive behavior, and why assertiveness matters.

Eleven Simple Words to Teach Your Children. Or, Eleven Simple Words To Teach Yourself.

January 10, 2014

Three powerful phrases every parent — and person — should learn: I Don't Know, I Need Help, and This Doesn't Feel Right.

Chasing Misery: How to Stay Unhappy, Lack Serenity and Avoid Joy in Your Life

January 9, 2014

A satirical guide to staying unhappy — reverse psychology techniques for finding serenity and joy.

Why Play Therapy is Really, Really Stupid

April 11, 2017

A provocative article on why family therapy is the modality of choice for helping children, not individual play therapy.

Child Psychology

January 6, 2013

What is child psychology? A different perspective on helping children through family systems rather than individual therapy.

Premarital Counseling FAQ's

Frequently asked questions about premarital counseling — what to expect, why it matters, and Dr. Gore's humorous take.

Doctor, Does My Child Have Bipolar Disorder?

January 3, 2014

No. A direct and honest take on the over-diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children.

Enabling Versus Caring

January 13, 2013

A side-by-side comparison of enabling behaviors versus truly caring behaviors in relationships.

When a Loved One Has a Problem with Drugs or Alcohol: What Works and What Doesn't

October 24, 2014

A comprehensive guide on what to do (and what NOT to do) when someone you love is struggling with addiction.

Intervention: An Option for Helping Alcoholics and Addicts

Understanding the surprise and invitational models of intervention for helping loved ones with addiction.

Doc, I Think I May Have Messed Up with My 28-Year-Old Child

January 17, 2013

"He's getting really good at Call of Duty." A humorous but direct take on failure to launch and enabling adult children.

List of Lists

Dr. Gore's eclectic collection of lists — from top guitarists and comedians to parenting truths and recovery steps.

ADHD: A Fair and Balanced View

January 12, 2014

Dr. Gore's opinionated, confrontational, and clinically grounded Q&A on ADHD — why it's over-diagnosed, under-evaluated, and why family therapy beats pills.

Fifty-Two Free Fun Facts From A Marriage Counselor

June 24, 2017

Fifty-four practical, personal, and occasionally blunt tips from a therapist who has treated thousands of couples. Read this list, memorize some of it, try to enact a few — then you won't need to come see me.

Why Taking Xanax for Anxiety Is Really, Really Stupid

February 27, 2017

Xanax works great — the first few times. Here's why it's one of the worst long-term approaches to treating anxiety, and what to do instead.

Taking the Time Out to Be a Couple

October 19, 2016

Fifteen minutes a day. Sacred and immovable. A personal story about the Sandwich Generation and the one habit that keeps a marriage alive.

A Child's Bill of Rights

January 31, 2015

Thirteen rights every child has — starting with the right to hear "No" at least three times a day. Adapted from John Rosemond, with Dr. Gore's endorsement of 91.5% of it.

On Forgiveness

December 18, 2014

Forgiveness is something you do for yourself, and this woman is walking the walk. A therapist's reflection on what forgiveness actually costs — and what it frees.