Have you seen the film, A Miracle on 34th Street? It hinges upon whether people will accept Kris Kringle's claim that he is in fact Santa Clause. What a strange preoccupation. Why does it matter so much whether or not people believe in the material existence of something that seems so clearly to be mythical? … Continue reading Santa Clause and the Narcissistic Defense
Sharing The Weight in Group
I had a conversation recently with a colleague who works with people who struggle with compulsive overeating and are considering or have had bariatric surgery. She told me how frequently the surgery doesn't help very much unless the underlying psychological issues are confronted. Which of course got me thinking about how issues related to food, … Continue reading Sharing The Weight in Group
Sense8 and Group Therapy
I just finished watching Season 1 of Sense8, a Netflix show about eight people who are telepathically connected, able to share experience, skills and perspectives instantly with each other, no matter where they are geographically. I thought about Group. For about a year and a half, I've been a member in a training group for … Continue reading Sense8 and Group Therapy
Help! I just can’t stand that person…
Help! I just can’t stand that person! Wonderful. What the hell do you mean, “wonderful?” You’re having a powerful experience in Group. You’re getting your money’s worth. What are you talking about? Someone in Group activates you. Their very presence stirs up a lot of emotion. This is a big opportunity for you to learn … Continue reading Help! I just can’t stand that person…
Why isn’t there a structure in Group?
Why isn’t there a structure or a theme or something in Group? It feels like there should be… A colleague of mine likes to joke that we try to avoid “shoulding all over ourselves.” Why should there be a structure? What kind of structure would you like? Some groups are more structured than others. In … Continue reading Why isn’t there a structure in Group?
Can I bring a friend to Group?
Can I bring a friend to Group? You probably want a simple Yes or No answer. I try to avoid that, whenever possible. My reason is not just to annoy you. Therapy, whether individual, couples, family or group, is a place to learn more about yourself, especially about your unconscious. What is the unconscious? Everything … Continue reading Can I bring a friend to Group?
Help! Someone in Group reminds me of…
Oh no! This is not what you expected. Another group member reminds you of your manipulative ex-boyfriend, or your raging father, or your codependent mom, or that cousin that you had a crush on in middle school and then hated when she started dating your friends... Believe it or not, this is exactly what's supposed … Continue reading Help! Someone in Group reminds me of…
