Blog

Personal writing from someone who has spent 42 years listening. Some pieces are funny. Some are not. All of them are true.

You've Got to Trust the Universe
September 23, 2026

You've Got to Trust the Universe

Dr. Gore on overcoming the anxiety of parenting by teaching your kids what they need to know and learning to trust.

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A Message For Dads
September 20, 2026

A Message For Dads

Dr. Gore on a passage from Bruce Springsteen's autobiography, what his wife said to him one day at noon, and why the mornings are the ones you do not get back.

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Less Fear, More Risk Takers
September 16, 2026

Less Fear, More Risk Takers

Dr. Gore on empowering children to tolerate failure so they do not end up living in a very small world.

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What are you teaching your kids?
September 10, 2026

What are you teaching your kids?

Dr. Gore on the importance of putting away the screens at dinner and teaching your kids how to have real conversations.

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You Don't Have to Do It Alone
September 2, 2026

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

Dr. Gore on the self-esteem it takes to ask for help and realize you don't have to have all the answers.

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I Am Green, But Not This Kind of Green
April 22, 2025

I Am Green, But Not This Kind of Green

I'm firmly against recycling — emotional recycling, that is. When we keep re-using what hasn't worked, we pass fear, anger, and silence to the next generation.

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The Stages of Being In a Car
September 16, 2024

The Stages of Being In a Car

A life-cycle essay tracing parenthood through car seats.

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Big News for the Modern Age
April 3, 2023

Big News for the Modern Age

Dr. Gore has entered the social media world. His video about NOT taking three-year-olds to Disneyworld hit 480K views. Follow along at @The.Cynical.Psychologist.

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The Ongoing Struggle
August 10, 2018

The Ongoing Struggle

Inside of me there are two dogs. The two dogs fight all the time. Which one wins?

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If You've Got the Issues, I've Got the Tissues
September 7, 2017

If You've Got the Issues, I've Got the Tissues

Tissues are sacred. A meditation on what those boxes of paper goods in a therapist's office actually hold.

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The Living Museum
March 22, 2016

The Living Museum

My daughter's third grade class had a Living Museum — Einstein, Lincoln, two dueling Harriet Tubmans. And one very unexpected standout.

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He Learned a Lesson
January 13, 2016

He Learned a Lesson

My ten-year-old son was certain you could buy a teleportation gun on Amazon. We made a bet. Double or nothing.

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Surrender
November 7, 2015

Surrender

Sometimes just by letting go, we actually reach the destination.

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Happy Mother's Day
May 9, 2015

Happy Mother's Day

To all you Moms out there: one day does not provide enough pampering for all you do. And to my family — thanks for raising me and helping me not die during my childhood.

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Just Showing Up Is Enough
April 20, 2015

Just Showing Up Is Enough

When suffering shows up, presence beats advice almost every time. You don't need a psychology degree — you need courage.

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Score One for Good Fathering and Spontaneity
April 15, 2015

Score One for Good Fathering and Spontaneity

My nineteen-year-old was broke, the Alt-J concert was that night, and she texted me three messages in a row. This is the best kind of parenting.

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This Girl Just Runs and Runs
March 12, 2015

This Girl Just Runs and Runs

I spent many hours at track meets. Running long distances is about perseverance. This story made me cry — as a Dad, as a former athlete, and as a fan of what humans can do.

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Why Are Women Medicated at Nearly Twice the Rate of Men?
March 4, 2015

Why Are Women Medicated at Nearly Twice the Rate of Men?

It is no secret I believe that too many people are on too many medicines. A female psychiatrist expresses her own sorrow and fear about the gender gap in psychiatric prescribing.

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Procrastination
January 30, 2015

Procrastination

A page about procrastination. Coming soon.

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Autobiography in Five Short, Short Chapters
November 4, 2014

Autobiography in Five Short, Short Chapters

A client told me she met "Him" again. I said: Sounds like you are in Chapter 3. Here's the poem that explains what I meant.

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New Pixar Movie Excites This Psychologist
October 21, 2014

New Pixar Movie Excites This Psychologist

Pete Docter noticed his daughter went from a rambunctious girl to a quiet preteen. He wanted to know why. So he made Inside Out. I can tell you why it matters.

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Books I Am Not Writing
September 6, 2014

Books I Am Not Writing

Every day over 800 Americans publish a book. I am bucking that trend. Here are some books I am NOT working on today.

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Why We Have Lousy Relationships
February 12, 2014

Why We Have Lousy Relationships

Why do we end up with our partners? Who we end up with says a lot about who we are.

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This Was Written In 2012, And Things Are Somehow Not Improving
June 11, 2012

This Was Written In 2012, And Things Are Somehow Not Improving

Every kid pulled out a screen. Heads down. Thumbs moving. They looked content — but they weren't talking. The less they interact now, the harder it will be later.

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