Inside/Outside

With the beginning of 2013 upon us, I would like to welcome you to my new blog, Inside/Outside. Its focus will be on the therapeutic setting and the inevitable conscious and unconscious interaction between patient and therapist.

I have been a psychologist for over forty years and a psychoanalyst for over twenty. In the course of my career I have treated many patients and have had the privilege to listen to many life stories.

In March of 2013, my book, Love and Loss in Life and in Treatment, published by Routledge, will make its debut. The book is unique in that it intertwines memoir with my work with patients, giving the reader the opportunity to learn what a therapist thinks and feels as she both lives her life and works intensively with patients. It is my intention to continue that approach in this blog.

As its name implies, “inside” will deal with the minds of both patient and therapist as they exist separately and in interaction with each other; “outside” will deal with the patient and therapist living their lives both in and out of the consulting room, again both separately and in interaction with each other. As was clear in my book, we are all far more connected than we realize. What occurs in the life of the patient affects the therapist and what occurs in the life of the therapist affects the patient.

Although it is my intent to focus on the interaction between myself and my patients, there may be times I reflect more on myself, and, at other times, more on a particular patient. At all times, however, the confidentiality of my patients is of primary importance. To respect that confidentiality, all the patients presented in this blog will be disguised in one way or another. I may change their sex, age, or place of origin. Or I may make them composites of numerous patients or friends or even creations of my own imaginings. I will, however, make every effort to remain true to the essence of the patient and/or idea being presented.

Welcome to my blog and Happy New Year to all of you!!