Author Archives: Shervan K Shahhian, LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, The Most Comprehensive Online Library Regarding Mental Health, Psychology and Parapsychology in the World.

Doctored Degree in Clinical Psychology (PSYD) (ABD) All But Dissertation, a Masters (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology, a Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) in Psychology, a Associate Degree (AA) in Liberal Arts with an emphases in Psychology, Certification in Anger Management, Certification in MRT-Moral Reconation Therapy®, Certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Certification in Advanced Hypnotherapy.

Parapsychology: Apparitions are experiences in which a person perceives a figure, presence, or image,…

Apparitions are experiences in which a person perceives a figure, presence, or image that appears real but may not be explained by an obvious physical source. Apparitions may often be described as seeing a deceased person, a living person who is not physically present, an unknown figure, or a non-human entity.

Types of Apparitions

Crisis Apparitions
- Reported when someone appears to another person during a time of extreme danger, illness, or death.
- The apparition may be later linked to a real-life crisis occurring at the same time.
Bereavement Apparitions
- Experienced after the death of a loved one.
- The experiencer may see, hear, sense, or even feel the presence of the deceased.
- These experiences are relatively common among grieving individuals and do not necessarily indicate mental illness.
Place Related Apparitions
- Apparitions reported repeatedly in a particular location.
- Commonly associated with “haunted” places.
Living Person Apparitions
- Reports of seeing someone who is alive but physically elsewhere.
- Sometimes called “phantasms of the living” in parapsychological literature.

Scientific Explanations

Psychologists and neuroscientists have proposed several explanations:

Misinterpretation of sensory information: (shadows, reflections, low light).
Expectation and suggestion: influencing perception.
Grief related experiences: especially after a significant loss.
Sleep related phenomena: such as hypnagogic (falling asleep) or hypnopompic (waking up) hallucinations.
Stress, fatigue, trauma, or certain neurological conditions: consult with a Nuerologist, may also contribute to apparition like experiences.

Parapsychological Perspectives

Within the field of Parapsychology, apparitions have been studied as potential evidence for:

Telepathic communication.
Survival of consciousness after death.
Unknown aspects of human consciousness.
Interactions with non-physical entities.

Researchers associated with the Society for Psychical Research collected thousands of apparition reports and attempted to analyze patterns statistically and historically.

Are Apparitions Evidence of Life After Death?

There is currently no scientific consensus that apparitions prove survival after death. Mainstream science generally interprets apparition experiences through psychological, neurological, and environmental factors. However, some researchers in psychical research argue that certain well documented cases remain difficult to explain completely.

Important Distinction

An apparition experience by itself is not the same as a psychotic disorder. Many psychologically healthy people report sensing or seeing the presence of a deceased loved one, particularly during bereavement. Mental health professionals evaluate such experiences based on the broader context, including distress, functioning, and whether other symptoms are present.

In summary, an apparition is a perceived presence or figure that appears real to the experiencer but lacks an immediately identifiable physical source. Interpretations range from normal psychological processes to paranormal or survival of consciousness hypotheses, depending on one’s perspective and the available evidence.

Shervan K Shahhian

Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM), also known as Metta Meditation:

Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM), also known as Metta Meditation, is a contemplative practice that involves intentionally cultivating feelings of goodwill, compassion, warmth, and kindness toward yourself and others.

The word “Metta” comes from the ancient Pali language and means loving-kindness, benevolence, or unconditional friendliness.

How It Works

During Loving-Kindness Meditation, you silently repeat phrases such as:

May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be safe.
May I live with ease.

You then gradually extend these wishes to others:

Yourself
A loved one
A friend
A neutral person
A difficult person
All beings everywhere

Example Practice

Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and repeat slowly:

May I be safe.

May I be healthy.

May I be peaceful.

May I be happy.

After a few minutes, bring someone you care about to mind:

May you be safe.

May you be healthy.

May you be peaceful.

May you be happy.

Continue extending these wishes outward.

Benefits

Research suggests Loving-Kindness Meditation may help:

Increase positive emotions
Enhance empathy and compassion
Reduce self-criticism
Improve social connection
Lower stress and anger
Increase emotional resilience
Support overall psychological well-being

What Loving-Kindness Is Not

Loving-kindness does not mean:

Approving harmful behavior
Ignoring personal boundaries
Suppressing anger or hurt
Forcing yourself to like everyone

Instead, it involves recognizing the shared humanity of all people while maintaining healthy boundaries.

A Psychological Perspective

From a psychological standpoint, Loving-Kindness Meditation can help counteract the mind’s tendency toward threat detection, self-criticism, and negative mental commentary. By repeatedly practicing goodwill and compassion, individuals may gradually strengthen neural pathways associated with empathy, emotional regulation, and social connection.

Some modern therapies, including mindfulness-based interventions and compassion-focused approaches, incorporate elements of Loving-Kindness Meditation as a way to promote emotional well-being and resilience.

In simple terms, Loving-Kindness Meditation is the practice of training the heart and mind to relate to oneself and others with greater kindness, compassion, and goodwill.

Shervan K Shahhian

Control Freak is an informal term for someone who feels a strong need to control situations:

A control freak is an informal term for someone who feels a strong need to control situations, people, or outcomes. They may often struggle to trust others to do things “correctly” and may become anxious when things are uncertain or not done their way.

Common traits may include:

Micromanaging others
Difficulty delegating tasks
Wanting plans followed exactly
Becoming stressed when things feel unpredictable
Correcting or directing people frequently
Needing reassurance that things are under control

Not everyone who likes organization or leadership is a control freak. The term usually implies the behavior is excessive or causes tension in relationships, work, or daily life.

People may develop controlling behaviors for different reasons, such as:

Anxiety or fear of failure
Perfectionism
Past experiences where they felt powerless
Lack of trust
A need for security or predictability

Example:

A manager who insists on approving every tiny detail instead of trusting the team.
A partner who tries to decide how everyone should spend their time or do chores.

The phrase may be used casually, but in serious cases controlling behavior can become unhealthy or emotionally manipulative.

Shervan K Shahhian

Conscious Dreaming usually refers to lucid dreaming:

Conscious Dreaming usually refers to lucid dreaming, a state where you are dreaming and aware that you are dreaming at the same time. In some lucid dreams, people may even influence or control parts of the dream.

Common experiences include:

Realizing “this is a dream”
Changing the environment, flying, or interacting intentionally
Feeling unusually vivid awareness
Remembering waking life goals inside the dream

Lucid dreaming may often happens during REM sleep, the stage associated with vivid dreams.

Scientists study lucid dreaming within the field of Sleep Science and consciousness research. Some studies suggest that parts of the mind involved in self-awareness become more active during lucid dreams than in ordinary dreaming.

People explore lucid dreaming for different reasons:

Curiosity and entertainment
Creativity and problem solving
Practicing skills mentally
Reducing nightmares
Meditation or spiritual exploration

Some common techniques people use to encourage lucid dreams:

Reality checks during the day (asking “Am I dreaming?”)
Keeping a dream journal
Waking briefly and returning to sleep (“wake-back-to-bed” method)
Meditation and mindfulness

It’s generally safe for most people, though frequent attempts may sometimes disrupt sleep quality if overdone.

Explaination:

the neuroscience behind lucid dreaming: CONSULT WITH A NEUROLOGIST,
how to start having lucid dreams,
spiritual interpretations of conscious dreaming,
or the difference between lucid dreams, astral projection, and vivid dreams.

Shervan K Shahhian

Controlling Behavior refers to actions used to dominate, direct, or excessively,…

Controlling behavior refers to actions used to dominate, direct, or excessively influence another person’s thoughts, feelings, choices, or activities. It often stems from a need for power, certainty, security, or fear of losing control.

Common Signs of Controlling Behavior

Constantly telling others what they should do.
Monitoring or checking up on people excessively.
Making decisions for others without their input.
Criticizing or micromanaging how others do things.
Using guilt, threats, intimidation, or manipulation to get compliance.
Isolating someone from friends, family, or support systems.
Demanding excessive reassurance, loyalty, or obedience.
Refusing to respect personal boundaries.

Examples

A partner insists on knowing where their spouse is at all times.
A parent makes major life decisions for an adult child without considering their wishes.
A manager micromanages every detail and allows no autonomy.
A friend uses guilt to pressure someone into doing what they want.

Why People Become Controlling

Controlling behavior may develop from:

Anxiety and fear of uncertainty.
Insecurity or low self-esteem.
Fear of abandonment or rejection.
Perfectionism.
Learned behavior from family or past relationships.
A desire for power and dominance.

Healthy Influence vs. Controlling Behavior

Healthy influence:

Respects autonomy.
Encourages discussion and collaboration.
Accepts disagreement.
Honors boundaries.

Controlling behavior:

Seeks compliance rather than cooperation.
Uses pressure, manipulation, or intimidation.
Disregards boundaries.
Punishes disagreement.

Impact on Others

People subjected to controlling behavior may experience:

Reduced self-confidence.
Anxiety and stress.
Resentment and anger.
Difficulty making independent decisions.
Feelings of being trapped or powerless.

What Helps

Recognize and clearly define boundaries.
Communicate needs assertively.
Encourage mutual respect and autonomy.
Address underlying fears or insecurities.
Consider counseling if the pattern is persistent or damaging.

When controlling behavior becomes severe and involves intimidation, isolation, threats, surveillance, or coercion, it may be considered coercive control, a form of psychological and emotional abuse that may seriously affect a person’s well-being.

Shervan K Shahhian

Coercive Manipulation is a pattern of psychological influence:

Coercive Manipulation is a pattern of psychological influence in which one person or group uses pressure, intimidation, deception, guilt, fear, isolation, or other tactics to control another person’s thoughts, feelings, decisions, or behavior.

Unlike healthy persuasion, coercive manipulation undermines a person’s ability to make free and informed choices.

Common Tactics

Gaslighting: Making someone doubt their memory, perceptions, or sanity.
Guilt tripping: Using guilt to influence behavior.
Fear and intimidation: Threats, anger, or implied consequences.
Isolation: Separating a person from friends, family, or outside sources of information.
Love bombing: Excessive affection or attention used to gain trust and dependence.
Withholding information: Preventing informed decision making.
Intermittent reinforcement: Alternating rewards and punishments to create dependency.
Shame and criticism: Lowering self-esteem to increase control.

Warning Signs

A person experiencing coercive manipulation may:

Feel they are “walking on eggshells.”
Frequently second guess themselves.
Feel responsible for another person’s emotions or actions.
Become increasingly isolated.
Have difficulty making independent decisions.
Feel trapped, powerless, or dependent.

Where It May Occur

Intimate relationships
Families
Workplaces
Cults or high control groups
Human trafficking situations
Financial scams and fraud schemes

Psychological Impact

Long-term coercive manipulation may contribute to:

Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Trauma related symptoms
Learned helplessness
Difficulty trusting oneself or others

Healthy Influence vs. Coercive Manipulation

Healthy Influence	Coercive Manipulation
Respects choice	Undermines choice
Honest and transparent	Deceptive or misleading
Encourages independence	Creates dependency
Accepts disagreement	Punishes disagreement
Based on mutual respect	Based on control

In psychology, coercive manipulation may often be discussed within the broader concepts of coercive control, emotional abuse, undue influence, and psychological domination. The key feature is that the goal is not simply to persuade, but to gain or maintain power and control over another person.

Shervan K Shahhian

Trauma Counseling is a type of therapy that helps people process and recover,…

Trauma Counseling is a type of therapy that helps people process and recover from deeply distressing or overwhelming experiences, things like abuse, accidents, violence, loss, or natural disasters. It’s not just about “talking it out”; it’s about helping your nervous system and mind regain a sense of safety and control.

What it focuses on

Understanding how trauma affects your thoughts, emotions, and body

Reducing symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, numbness, or hypervigilance

Rebuilding a sense of safety, trust, and stability

Processing memories at a pace that doesn’t overwhelm you

Common approaches used

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps reframe negative thought patterns tied to trauma

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): uses guided eye movements to process traumatic memories

Somatic Experiencing: focuses on how trauma is stored in the body

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

What a session might feel like

Early sessions are usually about building trust and making sure you feel safe. A good trauma counselor won’t push you to relive painful experiences before you’re ready, they’ll help you develop coping tools first. Over time, you may gradually work through memories in a structured, supportive way.

When to consider it

You might benefit if you’re experiencing:

Intrusive memories or nightmares

Avoidance of reminders of an event

Feeling constantly “on edge”

Emotional numbness or disconnection

Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe

Shervan K Shahhian

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a specific meditation technique:

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a specific meditation technique developed and popularized, possibly in the 1950s.

Please checkout:

https://tm.org

The practice involves:

Sitting comfortably with your eyes closed.
Silently repeating a personal mantra (a sound or word).
Practicing for about 26 minutes, twice a day, if safe and possible.
Allowing thoughts to come and go naturally rather than trying to concentrate or control the mind.

What is the goal?

TM practitioners say the technique allows the mind to settle into a state of deep rest while remaining alert, sometimes described as “transcending” ordinary thinking.

How is it different from other meditation techniques?

Unlike some forms of meditation that emphasize:

Focusing on the breath,
Monitoring thoughts mindfully,
Visualizing images,
Or cultivating specific emotions,

TM uses effortless repetition of a mantra and generally does not involve concentration or contemplation.

What does the research say?

Studies have suggested TM may help with:

Reducing stress and anxiety
possibly: Lowering blood pressure in some people: CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR.
Improving subjective well-being and relaxation

However, researchers debate whether TM provides benefits beyond those of other meditation methods. Most experts agree that meditation in general may be beneficial, but there is less consensus that TM is uniquely superior.

Do you need instruction?

Traditional TM is taught through some organizations, where possibly participants receive individualized instruction and a personal mantra. This instruction is typically provided for a fee.

Please, research it for yourself, Please checkout:

https://tm.org

Shervan K Shahhian

Trauma Counseling: a type of therapy that helps people process and recover:

Trauma counseling may be a type of therapy that helps people process and recover from deeply distressing or overwhelming experiences, things like abuse, accidents, violence, loss, or natural disasters. It may not just about “talking it out”; it’s about helping your nervous system and mind regain a sense of safety and control.

What it focuses on

Understanding how trauma affects your thoughts, emotions, and body
Reducing symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, numbness, or hypervigilance
Rebuilding a sense of safety, trust, and stability
Processing memories at a pace that doesn’t overwhelm you

Common approaches used

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps reframe negative thought patterns tied to trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): uses guided eye movements to process traumatic memories
Somatic Experiencing: focuses on how trauma is stored in the body
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: often used for children and adolescents

What a session might feel like

When to consider it

You might benefit it from it:

Intrusive memories or nightmares
Avoidance of reminders of an event
Feeling constantly “on edge”
Emotional numbness or disconnection
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe

Shervan K Shahhian

Auditory Hallucination are hearing sounds, voices, music, or noises that are Not actually present,…

f this is something you or someone else is currently experiencing and it feels overwhelming, unsafe, or includes commands to self-harm or harm others, seek urgent medical help or contact emergency services/crisis support in your area or call 911 asap.

Auditory Hallucination are hearing sounds, voices, music, or noises that are not actually present in the environment. They may range from simple sounds (buzzing, clicking, ringing) to complex experiences like hearing voices speaking.

They may occur in several situations, including:

Mental health conditions such as Schizophrenia, severe depression, or bipolar disorder
Sleep deprivation or extreme stress
Substance use or withdrawal (alcohol, stimulants, hallucinogens)
Neurological conditions such as epilepsy, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease: Please, Consult with a Psychiatrist.
Hearing impairment
High fever or medical illness: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor.

Common types include:

Voices talking to or about the person
Music or singing
Environmental sounds like footsteps, knocking, or phones ringing

Important warning signs may include:

Voices commanding harmful actions
Increasing fear, confusion, or paranoia
Difficulty distinguishing hallucinations from reality
Sudden onset with medical symptoms (fever, seizures, severe headache): Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor.

If someone is experiencing persistent or distressing auditory hallucinations, evaluation by a medical/healthcare professional is important because treatment depends on the cause. Treatments may include therapy, medication, sleep restoration, hearing evaluation, or addressing substance use or medical conditions.

If this is something you or someone else is currently experiencing and it feels overwhelming, unsafe, or includes commands to self-harm or harm others, seek urgent medical help or contact emergency services/crisis support in your area or call 911 asap.

Shervan K Shahhian