We’ve been continuing our series of conversations, this one exploring the construction of depression: the ways those seeking therapy talk about their experiences, the many meanings of the word and the ways that depression is so often insufficient as a term to capture these experiences. Matt: It’s probably the case that therapy for depression isRead more
Depression or a broken spirit: Therapy for either
Therapy for depression, or… recombiner via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA Contemplate with me, for a moment, the significance of this fact: With the overwhelming dominance of the construct of depression, both in therapy offices and in everyday conversation, we have reduced an entire wing of the spectrum of emotional experiences to one word: Depressed. LanguageRead more
Outsider Art and the Challenge in Labeling
Labeling artists and concretely defining art movements has long been a challenge. Criteria often includes inspiration, influence, training, and proximity but there is plenty of room for gray area and interpretation. Priscilla Frank’s article, “What is the meaning of outsider art?”, highlights why those in the “outsider artist” category are even more challenging to designate than the typical artRead more
“I’ll betcha”: Reclaiming “Crazy” in NYC Therapy
Is it crazy for a therapist to use the word crazy? I need to begin with a qualifier: As an established therapist in NYC, some of you may be a bit thrown off by my casual use of the word crazy. I get it. It may not fit your expectation of a therapist. If you’veRead more
What’s your specialty?
A couple of years ago I went to a workshop, “Building Your Dream Psychotherapy Practice” at the New York City chapter of NASW (the National Association of Social Workers). At the time I was the director of a group therapy center here in New York and always eager to learn about new ways of promotingRead more
Adding growth (and growthful)
surrealmuse / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA I launched TriBeCa Therapy (the website, not the practice) in early March of 2010 and excitedly shared it with my friends, colleagues and therapy patients. The feedback was terrific. Aside from having a few typos pointed out (a genuine “thank you” for those, always) the only complaint I gotRead more