Author Archives: Sophia
A beauty treatment?
I was reading a book of case studies by various psychoanalytic therapists and one of these therapists were quoted as saying to his patients at the beginning of therapy: “I can’t promise you much but I can promise you that … Continue reading
Bad therapy
I regularly get referred people who have seen other therapists and have not improved. There can be many reasons for why that is, including the client not being ready to change or there may have been a poor fit between … Continue reading
Therapy A to Z (part I)
A Anxiety: Anxiety is among the most common disorders that I see clinically. The object of the fear varies: it can be death or illness, making a fool of yourself, flying, spiders, going crazy, heights, rejection, germs, inclosed spaces, or … Continue reading
A human being
Ok, so you said something stupid. Or harsh. Or embarrassing. Or hurtful. So, you did something selfish. Or unkind. Or callous. So, you got angry. Or teary. Or flustered. Or turned on. That makes you a ….human being. That’s just … Continue reading
Psychotherapy leads to change
By now most of you would’ve seen the signs on my door and in my consulting room: Warning: psychotherapy leads to change For years I have been joking that therapy should come with a warning like those on cigarette packs … Continue reading
A social animal
This is by far the most frequent comment I hear in therapy: “I should be able be to handle this on my own.” Huh? This statement is uttered often and with much authority. Where, I’m always left wondering, is it … Continue reading
What are you waiting for?
Most of you readily agree with me when I suggest that you need to schedule more fun stuff into your life. But – you then go on – it is not possible right now. I will do it but when … Continue reading
What makes a psychologist reach for a drink
The last couple of weeks I’ve been busy letting it be known to the politicians that I’m unhappy about the changes that they are about to make to Medicare in relation to psychology. I don’t usually get involved in anything … Continue reading
How to be an existentialist
Have you ever noticed how fate/ the universe/ perceptual biases/ the goddess/ luck/ coincidence or whatever it is that rules these things, make things pop up everywhere just as you start to become interested in them? Well, lately I’ve been … Continue reading
Recommended books on Existential Psychotherapy
“How to be an existentialist or how to get real, get a grip and stop making excuses” Gary Cox “Man’s search for meaning” Victor Frankl “The discovery of being: writings in existential psychotherapy” Rollo May “Existential psychotherapy” Irvin Yalom “Staring … Continue reading