Early in my career, when clients would talk about intense forms of self-criticism or self-loathing, I used to make interpretations that focused on the savage and perfectionistic superego. Over time, I’d help them develop the mental ability to withstand this savagery and protect themselves from it. Later, as I described in this earlier post, I […]
Shyness and Self-Hatred Read More »
As much as I enjoy making my video series about psychodynamic psychotherapy, I feel a low level of ongoing frustration beause I don’t come across as I do in other situations — either in a social context or when working with clients. That person in the videos seems so darn serious, in contrast to the
The Healing Power of Humor in Psychotherapy Read More »
This novella is part of a series of re-envisioned fairy tales in which I probe some of the darker aspects of human psychology. I’m also at work on a science fantasy epic that will explore the same terrain. If you would be interested in hearing about future releases, please add your email address to my
Psychological Fairy Tales Read More »
I had an email from another therapist this week, asking whether I’d written anything for professionals who work with people who suffer from features of borderline personality disorder. She had recently been “fired” by one such client and felt upset about it. In fantasy, I imagined that it had happened in a very angry way,
On the Receiving End of Borderline Rage Read More »
So my book will finally be available on Monday, I’m caught up on all the work I’ve been neglecting and now have some free time to focus on other things, such as continuing my video series on psychodynamic psychotherapy. This is the fourth installment and it deals with resistance in the early phases of treatment.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Video #4: Resistance Read More »
I’ve always struggled with the term attachment, used in my profession to denote the relationship that is supposed to develop between mother and infant during the earliest months of life. I may be too concrete, but it makes me think of those poor monkeys in Harlow’s experiment, clinging to that cloth-covered metal skeleton; it seems
The Invisible Child Read More »
Many features of the psychotherapy relationship contribute to growth and psychological “healing” to the extent it is possible. In an earlier post about attachment theory, I discussed the importance of the emotional bond between client and therapist for development, especially the therapist’s ability to empathize with and ultimately feel genuine affection for his or her
Bearing Witness and Being Seen Read More »
I haven’t written a post in two weeks — unusual for me — because during that period, I have felt almost overwhelmed by the events in my life, mostly enjoyable and of great meaning to me: my oldest son’s 21st birthday, my middle child’s high school graduation, my daughter’s promotion from middle school, two flights
‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ as Character Traits Read More »
One of my clients tells me that I should have a neon sign on the wall behind me that reads, “It takes time.” She says I could simply flip a switch and turn it on instead of saying those words myself, which I obviously do quite a lot … for example, when someone asks me,
I dozed off for about ten seconds during a session today. Over the last 30 years, this has happened to me three times that I recall. The first time was with an elderly client, benignly psychotic but disengaged from the therapeutic process; briefly dozing made me realize I’d come to feel that I couldn’t help
When the Therapist Falls Asleep During Session Read More »