by Michael Jones | Nov 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
We live in a time when traditional conceptions of masculinity are subject to critique and revision. The legitimacy of the critique only makes the conflict more acute. Here are some examples, based on men I know but presented as composites to preserve...
by Jeff Levy | Nov 20, 2017 | Uncategorized
I am a therapist. I am white. I am a man. I am a little beyond middle aged. I am in a relationship. I am organized. I like the color blue. I like plants. I like dogs. I like turning flea market finds into useful furniture. I have a bad back. I am Jewish. I am busy....
by Jeff Levy | Nov 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
Jordan was seeing me weekly for several years to help him manage his divorce, relationship with his children, and decisions about his career. It became apparent after the first year of therapy that he had started to use alcohol to reduce his anxiety. Slowly and...
by Jeff Levy | Nov 18, 2017 | Uncategorized
There are many times in therapy when I am told something by my client that few other people know. Sometimes, I am the only person who knows other than the person who has told me. It takes courage to open a secret, and takes careful listening to know when a secret...
by Jeff Levy | Nov 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
Marty consistently talked about his garden each time we met for therapy. It was his greatest source of pride and, since he retired, where he spent most of his time. He described it in great detail, often telling me about new plants he had bought or perennials he had...
by Jeff Levy | Nov 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
Relationship Defined: “an emotional or other connection between people” When I begin meeting with someone, I try to make a point of discussing how therapy works. I talk about the importance of the content of our sessions, and I talk about the importance of exploring...
by Jeff Levy | Nov 14, 2017 | Uncategorized
It is inevitable. We will cause pain to our clients. Initially, it must seem counterintuitive to consider that, at some point, we will cause pain to one or more of our clients. In fact, at the very core of our work is the idea of “doing no harm”. As we consider the...
by Sara LaCasse | Nov 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
If you were to look at a therapist in action, you might not see much action. There I sit opposite the client, looking intently, commenting on occasion and, yes, sometimes just nodding in agreement while a client speaks. What could possibly be happening that makes...
by Michael Jones | Nov 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
“You look bored,” or “worried,” or “tired.” If I am, I say so, but always with some commentary. I might say, “Yes, I am feeling worried—the choice you are describing seems unsafe,” or “The decision you are facing is difficult no matter what you chose, and I am...
by Paul Wiemerslage | Nov 8, 2017 | Uncategorized
On more than one occasion, I have had clients comment, “I’ve never been allowed to talk about this before.” The word “allowed” always stood out to me. They didn’t mean that someone had forbidden them to talk about a particular topic, but rather that they had a...
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