Articles

A History of the Origins and Evolution of Intrapsychic Humanism

On the 20th anniversary of the publication of Intrapsychic Humanism: An Introduction to a Comprehensive Psychology and Philosophy of Mind, Dr. Martha Heineman Pieper talks about the genesis of the psychology behind the landmark book.

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Q&A With Dr. Martha Heineman Pieper, Intrapsychic Humanism Society Webinar, Oct. 16, 2021

Dr. Martha Heineman Pieper answers questions on the theory of Intrapsychic Humanism and the principles of Inner Humanism psychotherapy and their application to treating adults and adolescents in individual psychotherapy, children in play therapy, parent counseling, couples therapy, and consultation with preschool teachers.

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When Our Choices Are Not Really Our Own

Most of us see our major decisions — what college to attend, what career to choose, whether to marry, etc. — as up to us, but are hidden forces operating to push us down certain paths? To what extent are our decisions the product of free choice and to what extent are we being influenced by forces outside of our control.

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Teaching Kindness

Children really do as we do, so we must model kindness and not demand it. Our children want to be just like us, so if we yell we should not be surprised to find our children doing the same. It doesn’t make much sense to hold children responsible when they imitate our irritable, angry or punitive responses. On the other hand, when we are able to respond with compassion and understanding, children will learn kindness.

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On Naturalistic Research

One of the exciting implications of the postpositivist, heuristic paradigm of scientific investigation is that it allows social and behavioral researchers and practitioners simultaneously to uphold their ideals of doing genuine science and to harness the robust possibilities of naturalistic research to study the full complexity of clinical practice.

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Raising a Successful Student From Birth Through Adolescence

We are living in a period in which it is clear that U.S. students are falling behind students from other countries, particularly in math and science.

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Helping Foster Parents Manage the Addiction to Unhappiness in Their Foster Children

When caseworkers help foster parents understand what is driving their foster children’s negative behavior, foster parents will find it easier to maintain their commitment to the children.

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The Privilege of Being a Therapist

A fresh perspective from intrapsychic humanism on caregiving intimacy and the development of the professional self.

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Science, Not Scientism: The Robustness of Naturalistic Clinical Research

Naturalistic research has been overlooked and underutilized owing to the scientism that has colored the thinking of social work researchers and practitioners since the 1950s.

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Doing Good Science Without Sacrificing Good Values

Why the heuristic paradigm is the best choice for social work.

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The Obsolete Scientific Imperative in Social Work Research

In a misguided attempt to be scientific, social work has adopted an outmoded, overly restrictive paradigm of research

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It’s Not Tough, It’s Tender Love

Problem teens need compassion that the “tough-love” approach to child-rearing doesn’t offer them

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Social Casework Practice During the “Psychiatric Deluge”

A number of powerful but untested assumptions continue to influence professional formulations and practices.

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Treating Violent “Untreatable” Adolescents

While intrapsychic humanism asserts that the psychic pain that Freud and others assume to be the inevitable unhappiness of everyday living not only can be treated, but can also be prevented, intrapsychic humanism is not utopian.

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How to Parent Successfully Now So Your Child Will Thrive in the Long Run

What is the best way to parent children so they will make good choices in all areas of their lives?

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How to Know When Psychotherapy is Really Working

Both therapist and client can find it very challenging to assess the effectiveness of an ongoing treatment process.

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Monsters Under the Bed and Superheroes in the Playroom

Enabling children to make sense of what they are feeling is crucial to their healthy development.

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