Dr. John Duffy

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Dr. John Duffy Welcome to my page! I am a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker.

I’m working with more self-labeled workaholics lately than I have in decades. So let’s talk about the nature of work, an...
09/16/2026

I’m working with more self-labeled workaholics lately than I have in decades. So let’s talk about the nature of work, and how it fits in our lives in the healthiest way, in 2026. Today’s Substack.

It seems the workaholic is back.

A recent piece in The Atlantic suggests that therapy leaves kids worse off. I thought a firm rebuttal might be in order,...
09/09/2026

A recent piece in The Atlantic suggests that therapy leaves kids worse off. I thought a firm rebuttal might be in order, as well as some suggestions about making teen mental health a true priority. Today’s Substack.

Bear with me on this one.

I’m realizing that most of us (NOT just students) are in some kind of significant transition this time of year, this yea...
09/02/2026

I’m realizing that most of us (NOT just students) are in some kind of significant transition this time of year, this year in particular. And many of us run into anxiety or depression as we navigate our way through. Here are some thoughts on how to avoid the Autumn Crash. Today’s Substack.

To write these pieces, I find myself paying close attention to the broad cadences I see here in the therapy room, along with the stories I hear from my colleagues.

We have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years discussing the male loneliness epidemic, a serious crisis. But...
08/26/2026

We have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years discussing the male loneliness epidemic, a serious crisis. But I think it’s time to check in on our girls and young women, who seem to be suffering a great deal of loneliness as well. Today’s Substack.

Nineteen-year-old Sophia called me out hard:

I love this time of year, this collection of new beginnings. And I like offering parents and teenagers user-friendly bac...
08/19/2026

I love this time of year, this collection of new beginnings. And I like offering parents and teenagers user-friendly back-to-school tips and hacks. But this year, I am asking you to provide some badly needed hope to your kids, and answer the question I’m hearing most: What’s the point? Today’s Substack.

As you likely know, I do a lot of work with high school and college age people.

In a busy work living busy lives, we rarely if ever consider the spaces in which we parent. But I’ve learned that those ...
08/12/2026

In a busy work living busy lives, we rarely if ever consider the spaces in which we parent. But I’ve learned that those spaces can drive an enormous impact on our parenting, and our collective well-being as a family. Today’s Substack.

We moved our little family to the suburbs the summer before George was slated to start first grade.

Many of us have little to no interest in being among large groups of people, even crowds. Here are some thoughts on why ...
08/05/2026

Many of us have little to no interest in being among large groups of people, even crowds. Here are some thoughts on why I believe we need to join them, sometimes, regardless. Today’s Substack.

So Julie’s younger brother David has been taking care of her mom, now in her 90’s, for the past couple of years or so.

I’ve been asked this question countless times - why does my kid bug me so much? The answer is likely closer than you thi...
07/29/2026

I’ve been asked this question countless times - why does my kid bug me so much? The answer is likely closer than you think, and it’s important that you fully understand it. Today’s Substack.

Kim and Doug came to me in what I can only describe as pretty grave distress.

We sometimes learn the most important lessons in the strangest ways. Here’s a story about my introduction into the natur...
07/22/2026

We sometimes learn the most important lessons in the strangest ways. Here’s a story about my introduction into the nature of non-toxic masculinity from a most unusual source. Today’s Substack.

My father’s first sober day was August 19, 1961.

I am hearing a new, nearly universal fear among parents of teenagers and young adults over the past several years: that ...
07/15/2026

I am hearing a new, nearly universal fear among parents of teenagers and young adults over the past several years: that their child will somehow not survive. They check apps and friends and other parents seeking ‘proof of life’. It’s not only terrifying, but beyond difficult to parent under these circumstances. Some thoughts on how we can help. Today’s Substack.

TW: We do discuss teen su***de and suicidal ideation herein.

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La Grange, IL

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(847) 951-8800

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