The intensely socially repressive atmosphere of earlier times has been supplanted with an atmosphere of entitlement, permissiveness, and license. So it’s not surprising that it’s now more common for folks to lack enough shame or guilt to inhibit them from setting out to harm or manipulate others. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that significantly disturbed characters are everywhere.

It all starts with Anakin, the Boy Wonder of his time. It’s less about science fiction and more about something so many of us have trouble addressing: emotions.

The human psyche has a darker side and, like Peter Pan, we would do well not to lose connection with that shadow. In order to be a better person, we need to acknowledge and ‘own’ those unconscious, repressed parts of self.

Every profession has its stereotypes and therapists are no exception to the rule. Yet understanding the huge variety of therapists and the kinds of therapy they practice can make all the difference when trying to select one that is right for you.

For some prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the recurring dread of impending winter can be offset, at least for a little while, by finding enjoyment in what nature provides us along with these shortening autumn days. For me, that means apples and pumpkins.

With each of our three newest clinical psychologists having already been writing for the Ask the Psychologist column for some weeks now, an official announcement is long overdue. From all of us on the team, here’s a hearty welcome to Dr Shailagh Clarke, Dr Misty Hook and Dr Jennifer Ritchie-Goodline.

It seems virtuous, disciplined — wholesome, even. But is the time-honored conflict-avoiding technique of ‘picking your battles’ causing more problems than it solves? Here’s why picking your battles has a dark side.