Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy - Sexing Yourself for your own pleasure

Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy - Sexing Yourself for your own pleasure

by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS

Microcosm Publishing

11cm x 14cm, 52 pages, cardboard cover.

$3

I've reviewed a few of Dr Faith's Five Minute Therapy zines in the past - with topics ranging from Dating to Adulting, via Anger and Working. What I think is great about the series is that they are succinct, friendly, low on bullshit, and high on helping you really get to grips with your problem. This issue explores the often taboo topic of self-pleasure - or to put it plainly, masturbation. 

Dr Faith begins by taking us through a short historical overview of the organised movement that labelled masturbation the Heinous Sin of self-Pollution, rather than the 'healthy, normal and valuable part of human development' it is now understood to be. Don't worry, the important stuff is covered in more detail with topics broken down into headings like: why masturbation is important; the history of sex aids; what to do and what to buy.

Everything is discussed in a friendly, open, fun manner, dispelling myths along the way. Importantly, the information is not cis-focused, and acknowledges pleasurable possibilities and potential issues for those at different stages of confirmation treatments or surgeries. 

There are also additional sections on how to discuss masturbation with your kids, and a resource list for further reading - although you should note that Dr Faith is aware nearly all books about masturbation are geared toward cis-women, so please send any other recommendations her way because as she points out:

 

"Everyone should have access to affirming, appropriate information".

Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy helps fill that gap, and will definitely put the power back in your hands.
  

Buy a copy direct from Microcosm Publishing: microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/7455

Don't forget to check out other issues in the series too.

Review by Nathan Penlington

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Coping Skills

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Coping Skills

by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS

10.5cm x 14cm, 24 pages, cardboard cover.

$3

Because Sometimes Life Is Some Serious Bullshit

We life in a society that is always on, always demanding attention - we're always thinking or doing. And because we rarely get chance to switch off, to be calm, to reflect, our brains and bodies are over-stimulated and over-stressed. 

So how do we turn this situation around? Dr Faith once again steps up with some seriously practical advice on how you can actively regain some calm, some focus, and some energy. In her trademark style - you know - funny, friendly, compassionate, non-judgemental - Dr Faith lays out ten key ways to help you cope with what life throws at you. 

Like others zines in the Five Minute Therapy series, Coping Skills is published by Microcosm in a no-nonsense style. Small enough to fit in your pocket for those moments when you just need a helping hand. 

Buy Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy on coping skills direct from Microcosm Publishing: 
microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/7178

Check out Microcosmpublishing.org for other zines in Dr Faith's series. 


Review by Nathan Penlington

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Dating

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Dating

by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS

14cm x 2.5cm, 12 pages, cardboard cover.

$4

Dating - It's Not Relationshipping (And That's A Good Thing)

We're all been there: single and looking. But in the last few years the revolution in dating apps has made it so much easier to be 'single and not really looking', 'single and in it for the hook ups', or 'single and staying the hell out of it'. Dating has become stressful and emotionally bruising, and that's even before you get to the actual meeting someone face to face. 

This is where Dr Faith steps in to help once again - offering no nonsense, zero bullshit, friendly, funny, and practical advice. Reclaiming dating as a fun activity, but avoiding the traps of being addicted to attention, or annoying the F*@k out of your friends and family, is easy when it's broken down into ten steps of things to consider, remember, or act on. 

I've become a big fan of Dr Faith's zines, I think they succeed in ways self-help books don't. Whether you need a shot of life coaching, or you have a friend that needs a jolt of common-sense therapy, her zines are a cheap way to help deal with a specific area of need. 

So - stop swiping, start reading. 

Buy Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy on Dating direct from Microcosm Publishing: 
microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/7181

Check out Microcosmpublishing.org for other zines in Dr Faith's series. 


Review by Nathan Penlington

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Anger

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Anger

by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS

14cm x 2.5cm, 28 pages, cardboard cover.

$4

This is your brain on ANGER - what it is, how to deal 

We're living in a society that is getting angrier. A few minutes on Twitter, or the comments section of YouTube will prove that. But away from social media anger is a destructive emotion that can seriously harm your health, your sleep, and your relationships, if you let it rule your life. 

In order to tackle a big topic this is a more in-depth zine than some of the other zines in Dr Faith's series. The reader is guided through the neuroscience of anger, helping you get to grips with what is actually going on in your brain is fundamental to helping you retrain your responses. In essence this zine with help you to "let anger work for you, not against you", taking you step by step through strategies to analyse your anger, and discover just what are underlying causes to your feelings. 

What makes Dr Faith's Five Minute Therapy series so great is that each zine is succinct, friendly, low on bullshit, and high on helping you really get to grips with your problem. This issue is no exception. 

If anger is an issue you recognise in the mirror, you owe it to yourself to put your brain in a better frame of mind before you cause serious harm to yourself or others. And if you know someone with anger issues, giving them this zine might be the first step to working towards a healthier outlook. 

Buy Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy on ANGER direct from Microcosm Publishing: 
microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/3794

Check out Microcosmpublishing.org for other zines in Dr Faith's series. 


Review by Nathan Penlington

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Adulting

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Adulting 

by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS

10.5cm x 14cm, 16 pages, cardboard cover.

$3

I've said this before about Dr Faith's zines in a previous review, but it's true. The genius idea behind this series is that we often face problems that don't need a whole barrage of self-help books, or a series of expensive sessions with a therapist. That's where this series of situation focused help and advice comes in. They are a practical mix of psychology, life coaching, common sense, and understanding. They are often funny too. In fact, just the kind of advice you'd seek from a grounded friend, a friend who just happens to be a qualified therapist.

The subject tackled in this issue is Adulting - more specifically 'How to be an adultier adult'. 

What does it mean to be an adult? Mainly it's having to deal with all those things you didn't thank your parents for doing on your behalf, and often didn't realise they were even doing them. 

Following the successful formula of other zines in this series, Dr Faith presents a list of points, affirmations, and rules to follow to help you be a better adult - no matter what your age. 

As Dr Faith says, this zine is:

"a reminder of how to get up every day, do the best we can do, and remember that it really will be ok in the end".  

Buy Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy on Working direct from Microcosm Publishing: 
microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/6860

Check out Microcosmpublishing.org for other zines in Dr Faith's series. 


Review by Nathan Penlington

Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy - Working

Dr Faith's 5 minute therapy - Working

by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS

14cm x 21.5cm, 20 pages, cardboard cover.

$4

The genius idea behind this series of zines is that we often face problems that don't need a whole barrage of self-help books, or a series of expensive sessions with a therapist. That's where this series of situation focused help and advice comes in. They are a practical mix of psychology, life coaching, common sense, and understanding. They are often funny too. In fact, just the kind of advice you'd seek from a grounded friend, a friend who just happens to be a qualified therapist.

This issue tackles the subject of work. 

We've all worked jobs we've hated, when every waking minute is subsumed by either being at work and hating it, dreading working, or being filled with anger because of something to do with that job - often all three.

Having all of your time filled with anger because of work is not a healthy way to live. Yet, often, there doesn't feel like a way out - except walking out of your job one morning and never looking back. But burning bridges is not a sensible approach when jobs are hard to find, and sometimes harder to keep. This issue of Dr Faith's Five Minute Therapy is subtitled 'Makin' paper without losing your mind or selling your soul', and will help tackle those issues before you reach breaking point.

Dr Faith offers ten useful points and approaches to managing the anger of being treated badly, disrespected, and feeling undervalued. She also gives advice about dealing with shitty bosses and shittier co-workers, and sound advice regarding planning a way out if that is the only option left.


If any of the above describes your current situation, or you have a friend who is constantly complaining about their job, pick up this zine - it could be the best $4 you've ever spent.


Buy Dr Faith's 5 Minute Therapy on Working direct from Microcosm Publishing: 
microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/8189

Check out Microcosmpublishing.org for other zines in Dr Faith's series. 


Review by Nathan Penlington