Psychology Today Columns | Mark Rubinstein Blog

Writer-to-Writer: A Talk with Simon Toyne

August 7, 2013 by Mark Rubinstein

Simon Toyne is the author of the highly acclaimed Sanctus trilogy. Simon graduated from Goldsmith’s College in London with a degree in English and Drama. He worked in British television for nearly 20 years as a producer. In 2007, he left television and moved with his family to France where they lived for six months. He returned to the U.K. and continued writing, while free-lancing in television to help pay the bills. That is, until Sanctus, the first novel of the trilogy was completed and became an international best-seller. It was followed by The Key and the recently released, The Tower. All three novels have been translated into dozens of languages and are read all over the world.

Read more on the Huffington Post >>

Please share...

The Man in the Box

August 7, 2013 by Mark Rubinstein

Some years ago, I was contacted by an attorney and asked to evaluate his client, the plaintiff in a lawsuit. I’ll call her Mrs. Jones, a 35-year-old widow, who was suing a funeral home.

A year earlier, her presumably healthy 40-year-old husband, died suddenly of a massive heart attack while at the gym.

At our consultation, Mrs. Jones was obviously bereaved and quite sad. This was not out of the ordinary, because the bereavement process often takes a full two years. But, what was severely complicating this process; occasioning the lawsuit; and bringing her to my office was the following unusual story:

Read more on Psychology Today >>

Please share...

The Prescription

June 10, 2013 by Mark Rubinstein

Steve was a 52 year old successful executive who looked downtrodden entering my office. He’d come reluctantly, and only because his wife insisted he “see someone.”

“She says I’m not living my life anymore,” he told me.

When asked what was going on, Steve said two years earlier, his dog of 14 years had died. His two kids were now out of the house, living on their own. His wife began teaching history at a community college, and he felt lonely, isolated and demoralized. “I don’t look forward to much,” he said, and added, “And don’t even think of prescribing pills for me because I’m not a pill-taker.”

Read more on Psychology Today >>

Please share...

Sidney Brought Out The Best

April 13, 2013 by Mark Rubinstein

I was an unmarried practicing psychiatrist living in Manhattan. My best friend and nearly constant companion was Sidney, a 27 pound, adorable mutt I’d rescued from the pound. When I had a break between patients, I’d run back to my apartment—six blocks away—to walk him and keep him company. Aware that dogs are socially-oriented animals, I hated that Sid spent so much time alone, but I had to work.

One day, I was faced with a dilemma.

Read more on Psychology Today >>

Please share...

PTSD and the Legal System: The Jodi Arias Case

March 25, 2013 by Mark Rubinstein Leave a Comment

Let me say at the outset, I never examined Jodi Arias or reviewed any records in the case.

Jodi Arias is on trial for murder in Arizona.

She admits to shooting her boyfriend, Travis Alexander, stabbing him multiple times and slashing his throat from ear to ear. Ms. Arias claims to have little or no memory of the murder. A defense-retained psychologist testified Jodi was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which arose from the murder itself.

Read more on Psychology Today >>

Please share...

All In the Family

February 7, 2013 by Mark Rubinstein Leave a Comment

In June 1979, I received a call from a young man. When John and I met, he talked about his father. His dad was a rough-hewn man who belittled and humiliated John, whose self-esteem was crumbling steadily.

Though he was in his mid-thirties, John still lived with his parents. I soon realized John was dependent on his father. He even worked for him. It was quite clear: despite his protestations, John’s wish was to remain a “boy.”

Read more on Psychology Today >>

Please share...