"Because You Loved Me"—Co-Dependency or Good Parenting?
A few years ago I was waiting in a doctor’s office and, having forgotten to bring the parenting book I was studying, was at the mercy of Muzak.
HBO and Narcissism
Does HBO have a monopoly on series centered around characters who suffer from narcissism? No, but the network sure has its share!
"Enlightened" Superiority
Warning: This is another television-and-therapy post, this time with a focus on superiority. While flipping through the channels recently, I landed on HBO’s new series “Enlightened,” and stayed to watch because I admire actress Laura Dern’s work.
Satisfaction or "I Could've Had a V-8!"
Do you find yourself saying some variation of “I could’ve had a V-8!” about the situations or choices you’ve made in your life? What does “I could’ve had a V-8!” mean, anyway?
Natural Networking
“I don’t know how to network” “Networking feels so fake” “I’m too shy to network.” Sound familiar? You know your business would improve if you networked, but you’re just too uncomfortable to try.
Don't Push the Panic Button!
One day I had an early morning flight, and in the rush I managed to leave my purse in the cab—which I realized as I saw it pull into the airport exit lane. I hadn’t taken the time to get a receipt, so I couldn’t even trace the cab.
Finding the Humor in Everyday Life
My tagline is “Helping people find the joy in everyday life,” and a part of that involves being able to see and appreciate the humor in everyday life.In fact, I consider humor an important enough part of life that I even have a piece about developing a sense of fun on my website
Learning Impulse Control from David Mamet
Remember writer David Mamet’s statement from the previous two posts, that every scene in a play or film should answer three questions: Who wants what from whom? What do they do when they don’t get it? Why now?
Learning Disappointment from "American Idol"
We all experience disappointment, but what to do with it depends on what you've learned, your customary ways of dealing with things
Dependency and Blame
Dependency and blame: Who wants what from whom? What happens if they don’t get it? Why now? These are the three questions that writer David Mamet says each scene in a play or film should answer.
The Zany Henricksons of "Big Love"
We come not to bury Bill Henrickson, but to praise him, or at least the wonderful HBO series, “Big Love,” in which he was the protagonist.I got HBO when my patients were asking what I thought of Dr. Melfi from “The Sopranos” and her therapeutic approach with sociopathic (duh!) mob boss Tony.
Finding a Therapist Online
When choosing a restaurant for a special occasion, I go online. I check the menu and prices on the restaurant website; browse the Menupages reviews to learn about the dining experience of other customers; and look up any New York Magazine or New York Times reviews.
Are You Doing All You Can?
Are you doing a little bit, a reasonable amount, or everything you can to boost your satisfaction in life, to reach your goals?
Comfort Zone
“I know I could increase my business if I gave some presentations, but I’m not comfortable with public speaking.” “I’m nervous about showing my fiction to other people, so I could never take a writing workshop.”
Quick Question! Is Love a Noun or a Verb?
A few years ago there was a recurring TV spot aimed at getting kids to be more active, with the tagline: “Verb: It’s what you do!” Many people I see in individual and couples treatment look at love as a noun.
Are You Checking the Boxes
Many people start treatment because they have a certain dissatisfaction in life. They look good on paper, but their successes feel empty. They’re checking the boxes in life: Ivy League degree(s)? Check! Fast-track career? Check!
Sustainable Relationships
Many people start treatment because they have a certain dissatisfaction in life. They look good on paper, but their successes feel empty. They’re checking the boxes in life: Ivy League degree(s)? Check! Fast-track career? Check!
Is This the Right Person for Me? Wrong Question!
“Is this the right person for me?” How many times have you heard your friends ask this question when they’re dating someone? Or maybe you’ve asked it yourself.