Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD

Bio

Author of CHANGEOLOGY, John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP, is Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Fellow at the University of Scranton, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, a board-certified clinical psychologist, and an internationally recognized authority on behavior change and psychotherapy. His 300 publications and 20 books converge on self-change, psychotherapy, and professional training. Dr. Norcross has served as president of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division of Clinical Psychology, the APA Division of Psychotherapy, and the International Society of Clinical Psychology. He is also editor of Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session and has been on the editorial boards of a dozen journals.

He has received multiple professional awards, such as APA’s Distinguished Career Contributions to Education

Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • University of Scranton, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Location:

  • John C. Norcross, PhD
  • Scranton, PA

Activity

  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD has written an article:

    The New Year's Resolution Solution

    ‘Tis that time of the year again: 40 to 45 percent of adults in the United States will make New Year’s resolutions, continuing a tradition that began

    ...Full Post
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    Why do I need to set weight loss goals?

    When you're setting goals, you should dream big and bold. As president Harry Truman put it, “You can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one.”

    But it's important to distinguish subgoals from long-term goals. This is a vital distinction to make, because it’s easy to be too...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    What’s the secret to keeping a New Year’s resolution?

    In January

    • Track your progress by recording or charting your changed behavior.  Research indicates that such “self-monitoring” increases the probability of keeping the resolution.

    • Reward your successes. Reinforce yourself for each step with a (healthy) treat or compliment.  Perhaps create a reward...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    Does hypnotherapy work for weight loss?

    Hypnosis frequently does work in a modest way. Here’s a consumer-friendly synopsis of the inside scientific scoop followed by three vital tips on hypnosis.

    A sophisticated review (meta-analysis) was performed on 18 studies in which a treatment was compared with the same therapy supplemented by...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How should I set goals that I can achieve?

    Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Specific, and phrase them in a positive, growth-oriented way.

    Avoid goals that are too generic or indefinable. Setting specific goals, or subgoals, that could be accomplished in 60 or 90-day increments is important.

    Measurable means what’s...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How important is willpower in losing weight?

    John Maynard Keynes, the esteemed economist, once wrote that “the difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” The myth of change only requiring willpower is one we sorely need to escape from.

    This pre-scientific misconception contains a grain of truth within...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How should I set a weight-loss goal?

    It’s difficult to reach the destination when you don’t know where it is. Vague goals beget vague efforts.

    Being specific doesn’t mean, however, that you need to restrict yourself to inconsequential goals. Dream big and bold. We can break down any ambitious goal into subgoals. As president Harry Truman...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How can I handle temptation when trying to lose weight?

    At some point you’ll undoubtedly confront the urge to regress into old ways. Dieters plead for “just a bite” and those favored comfort foods. But you can resist temptations.

    Research and experience have converged on 10 methods.
    1. Take a breather. Take a few deep breaths, slowly inhaling and
    ...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How can I resist urges to overeat or smoke?

    In the moment of intense temptation, you’ll protest, “You don’t understand, Dr. Norcross, it’s just too strong! I can’t stand it!” And in that moment, it does indeed feel like “I’m gonna die if I don’t give in to this crushing urge.”

    A number of methods work well for mild temptations, but they don’t...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    Is dieting pointless if my whole family is overweight?

    This is a prevalent brain-based misconception about change, and it’s an unfortunate side effect of advances in neuroscience. But a few quick moments of critical thinking show that it’s simply a variation on the old theme -- “it’s all willpower,” “it’s all about money,” and now, “it’s all in my...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How do I motivate myself to change?

    When it comes to motivation, I think of Dr. Doolittle’s two-headed, push-pull llama. On the one “head,” you are pushed away from the problem because you can’t stand it any longer. On the other “head,” you are pulled toward change and a new behavior. Two energy sources -- pushed and pulled...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    How can I get back on my diet after a slip-up?

    A Slip Card is a convenient cheat sheet of reminders, to carry in your purse or wallet, when you slip. The card immediately reminds you what to do in order to avoid letting that one-time slip turn into a permanent fall, to prevent a lapse from becoming a relapse.

    Once you’ve slipped, you’ll

    ...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    What kind of training does a psychotherapist have?

    Here’s a surprising fact: The term psychotherapist is not legally protected or regulated in the United States. That means you can legally call yourself a psychotherapist or therapist, put it on a business card, and hang out a shingle. The lesson should be obvious: avoid anyone identifying...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    What kind of training does a psychologist have?

    Of all mental health professionals, psychologists receive the most training in psychotherapy. They possess doctoral degrees in psychology (Ph.D., Psy.D.), and spend one or two additional years as clinical interns. They alone provide psychological assessment and testing. In a few states, p...Read More
  • Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD - Scranton, PA - Psychology
    Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD answered:

    What do psychiatrists do?

    Psychiatrists possess doctoral degrees in medicine (M.D., D.O.) and most have completed a formal residency in psychiatry. They prescribe medication and, compared with the other mental health professions, specialize in biological treatments. Tips: Look for a psychiatrist who is board certified...Read More