Letters to a Young Therapist

I felt what I often feel, a deep respect for the courage of ordinary people - the people that get up every morning and do what needs to be done.

Happiness comes from making good choices. Integrity, energy, perseverance, and courage all contribute. In short, happiness is related to character structure, work, health and relationships.

There is a big difference between people who've had interesting lives and people who are interesting.

Good therapists have a tolerance for ambiguity. The human condition is variegated, multifaceted, and particular. There is no one-size-fits-all way to proceed. In the end, the answer to most questions is, “It depends.

Unlike cops, landlords, or bar owners, therapists tend to grow fonder of humans the longer they are in our field. That’s because we come to understand the world from the point of view of others. We see that most people want to be good.

Research documents that the more time people spend with other people, the better they feel.

Our work is some of the most interesting and challenging work in the world.