Dr. Patrick Keelan, Registered Psychologist

05/25/2026

Is it better to enjoy doing good deeds—or not?

In this article, I examine whether the value of doing good deeds depends on whether the person doing them enjoys the experience. Good deeds happen in many kinds of relationships: between partners, family members, co-workers, volunteers and recipients, and even strangers. Good deeds often benefit both the recipient and the giver. Still, people sometimes ask whether those benefits depend on whether the giver actually enjoys doing them. That is the question I explore below...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . Good deeds happen in many kinds of relationships: between partners, family members, co-workers, volunteers and recipients, and even strangers. Good deeds often benefit both the recipient and the giver. Still, people sometimes ask whether those benefits depend on whether the...

05/11/2026

Targeting two sides of appreciation in relationships

In this article, I discuss how to use expressions of appreciation and awareness of what you appreciate to have good relationships. Not surprisingly, feeling appreciated is a fundamental element of a good relationship. As a result, I often work on this variable when I am helping couples to improve their relationships. When doing so, I have the couple target this important variable in two ways. In the following sections, I will discuss how this is done...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . Not surprisingly, feeling appreciated is a fundamental element of a good relationship. As a result, I often work on this variable when I am helping couples to improve their relationships. When doing so, I have the couple target this important variable in two ways. In the fo...

04/27/2026

Strategies to address rumination

In this article, I discuss strategies which can be used to address rumination when the mind wanders. In my last article, I discussed why we are more prone to ruminating and its negative mood effects when our minds wander. I focused on material featured in The Science of Happiness by Dr. Bruce Hood In this article, I discuss strategies which can be used to address rumination when our minds wander. These strategies have positive effects on mood and happiness and lead to less brain activity in the area associated with rumination. I will discuss these strategies in the following sections...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . In my last article, I discussed why we are more prone to ruminating and its negative mood effects when our minds wander. I focused on material featured in The Science of Happiness by Dr. Bruce Hood In this article, I discuss strategies which can be used to

04/13/2026

Rumination: A negative consequence of a wandering mind

In this article, I discuss how our thoughts tend to lead to unhappiness when our mind wanders. In The Science of Happiness, Dr. Bruce Hood discusses how we are prone to a type of thinking which has a negative effect on mood and happiness. This type of thinking is ruminating. It entails thinking negatively about oneself—often by comparing oneself negatively to others or by worrying that one will be unable to cope with adversity. Dr. Hood discusses how we are more prone to ruminating and its negative mood effects when our minds wander. In the following sections, I will discuss why this happens and how we can decrease the frequency with which it happens...[more]...

03/16/2026

Permanent daylight savings time: More money for some trumps better health for all

In this article, I discuss why we should focus on the physical and mental health of everyone when deciding whether to continue springing forward and falling back. It is easy to think of instances in which our political leaders have dropped the ball. One such instance which has not received enough publicity is the issue of whether we should continue to move our clocks ahead one hour in the spring and change our clocks back one hour in the fall. Whether such change should occur and what type of change should happen has important implications for the physical and mental health of everyone. Unfortunately, many politicians who have dealt with this issue recently appear to be either oblivious to these considerations or have subordinated them to the financial interests of an influential minority. In the following sections, I will provide the perspective of a mental health professional on this unfortunate situation...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . It is easy to think of instances in which our political leaders have dropped the ball. One such instance which has not received enough publicity is the issue of whether we should continue to move our clocks ahead one hour in the spring and change our

03/02/2026

Coping with criticism: The key to managing social anxiety

In this article, I discuss how you can reduce anxiety in social situations to a manageable level by using strategies to cope with being criticized. In my last article, I discussed how the two elements of catastrophic thinking can be targeted to reduce anxiety to a manageable level of intensity when the issue is social anxiety. I indicated that coping with criticism should be the focus when targeting these elements. In the following sections, I will discuss strategies which can be used for this purpose...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . In my last article, I discussed how the two elements of catastrophic thinking can be targeted to reduce anxiety to a manageable level of intensity when the issue is social anxiety. I indicated that coping with criticism should be the focus when targeting these elements. In

02/16/2026

Targeting two elements of catastrophic thinking to manage social anxiety

In this article, I discuss how you can reduce anxiety in social situations to a manageable level by addressing a common cognitive distortion. In my last article, I discussed how you can reduce anxiety to a manageable level by addressing the cognitive distortion known as catastrophic thinking, also referred to as catastrophizing. In so doing, I detailed how two elements of this cognitive distortion can be addressed in helping people to manage anxiety. (1) Overestimating the likelihood of negative events occurring; and (2) Underestimating one’s ability to cope with negative events were they to happen. The two elements of catastrophic thinking can also be targeted to reduce anxiety to a manageable level of intensity when the issue is social anxiety. In the following sections, I will discuss the steps in this process...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . In my last article, I discussed how you can reduce anxiety to a manageable level by addressing the cognitive distortion known as catastrophic thinking, also referred to as catastrophizing. In so doing, I detailed how two elements of this cognitive distortion can be addresse...

02/02/2026

Targeting two elements of catastrophic thinking to manage anxiety

In this article, I discuss how you can reduce anxiety to a manageable level by addressing a common cognitive distortion. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on how people can change their thinking and their behaviour to address their mental health issues, many of which entail managing emotions like anxiety. Addressing cognitive distortions or negatively biased thinking patterns is a fundamental part of the cognitive side of this form of therapy. The cognitive distortion which is typically targeted when addressing anxiety issues is catastrophic thinking, also known as catastrophizing. In the following sections, I will discuss how two elements of this cognitive distortion can be addressed in helping people to manage anxiety...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on how people can change their thinking and their behaviour to address their mental health issues, many of which entail managing emotions like anxiety. Addressing cognitive distortions or negatively biased thinking patterns is a f...

01/19/2026

How to change your personality through therapy

In this article, I discuss strategies you can use when working with a therapist to change your personality. In my last article, I discussed the nature of personality as a relatively stable way of thinking, feeling and behaving. I then discussed goals you can set to change your personality to benefit your life. In this article, I will discuss strategies you can use in therapy to achieve your personality change goals. I will use the example goal of being less depressed as a personality change to which these strategies can be applied...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . In my last article, I discussed the nature of personality as a relatively stable way of thinking, feeling and behaving. I then discussed goals you can set to change your personality to benefit your life. In this article, I will discuss strategies you can use in therapy

01/05/2026

A psychology-based New Year’s resolution: Change your personality

In this article, I discuss goals which you may consider setting to change your personality. Setting a goal to change your personality may seem as daunting as striving to climb Mount Everest. And although I acknowledge that changing one’s personality is challenging, it is a goal which can be accomplished with focus and consistent effort. In the following sections, I will discuss the nature of personality and provide a game plan for changing yours in a direction that will improve your life...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . Setting a goal to change your personality may seem as daunting as striving to climb Mount Everest. And although I acknowledge that changing one’s personality is challenging, it is a goal which can be accomplished with focus and consistent effort. In the following sections...

12/15/2025

Best wishes for the holiday season: From psychology

In this article, I extend psychology-based season’s greetings to you and yours. With the holiday season in full swing, people all over the world are extending best wishes through words, gestures and gifts. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, I will extend my best wishes in this article. Given that I am a psychologist, I thought it would be appropriate for my season’s greetings to be rooted in psychology...[more]...

Estimated reading time: . With the holiday season in full swing, people all over the world are extending best wishes through words, gestures and gifts. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, I will extend my best wishes in this article. Given that I am a psychologist, I thought it would