About Phil Hickey Ph.D

I am a licensed psychologist, presently retired. I have worked in clinical and managerial positions in the mental health, corrections, and addictions fields in the United States and England. My wife Nancy and I have been married since 1970 and have four grown children.

After Psychiatry? What Next?

January 11, 2013 By Phil Hickey |

I ended a recent post arguing that psychiatrists should not have a leadership role in whatever kind of helping program eventually replaces the present mental health system, which is crumbling at the seams, conceptually and practically. So the question arises – which profession is suited to a leadership role. Of course, this begs the question… Continue Reading

Schizophrenia – Not an Illness

January 3, 2013 By Phil Hickey |

Late adolescence and early adulthood is arguably the most difficult period of life. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood entails many challenges. The young person (male or female) is expected to emancipate successfully from parents; launch a career; and find a partner – all in the space of a few short years. Some individuals cope remarkably… Continue Reading

Psychiatry – The Sham Science

January 1, 2013 By Phil Hickey |

There is an interesting article in last month’s issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry. The article, titled Psychiatry beyond the current paradigm, was authored by Pat Bracken, an Irish psychiatrist, and 28 other British and Irish psychiatrists. The gist of the piece is that the current psychiatric paradigm, which the authors describe as “applied… Continue Reading

Another School Shooting and More Muddled Thinking

December 24, 2012 By Phil Hickey |

All murders, of course, are brutal, tragic acts, but the planned cold-blooded slaughter of 20 little children and six teachers is particularly heinous. The Newtown murders, coming as they do in the wake of a long string of similar incidents, raise serious questions about American society. Besides the outpouring of grief and sympathy, the two… Continue Reading