Psychotherapy.net - Guestbook

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 4:58AM
Topic: Articles: Halgin

Dear Dr Halgin,

Thank you for sharing with us your personal feelings and dilemmas (When a Patient Dies... Should the Therapist Attend the Funeral?) I was very moved by your sensitivity and respect for your patient.

It helped me deal with my sadness regarding a loss of an ex patient just two weeks ago. I felt guilty and very sorry that I did not attend the funeral, since in Israel where I live it is a tradition and almost a rule to attend funerals of people you had some relations with, and then to visit the family during the shivaa (7 days of mourning). Since I was not a stranger to the family, I called his wife and asked if I can come to pay her a visit. She was very grateful and so I did. It was very meaningful to be there and share some feelings with her.

I remember a bereaved father who told me once how disappointed he felt when his deceased daugher's therapist did not come to visit them and only sent a short telegram.

I feel like Dr Halgin - that we have to act as human beings. We have known some of our patients so intimately and have shared with them their hidden secrets and very personal moments in their lives so it is just natural that we express our feelings as long as we respect their privacy.

Liora Bar-Tur
Israel

Saturday, December 20, 2008 2:06PM
Topic: Articles: Halgin

I was touched by When a Patient Dies... Should the Therapist Attend the Funeral? The humanity and respect for Jim was palpable. Dr Halgin's discussion regarding the therapeutic relationship highlights the privileged position we are placed in as our clients share their private inner world. We are touched by our clients' struggles in life. However, the dilemma it consequently presented regarding the attendance at the funeral reminded me of a client I saw for bereavement therapy. She was a very dignified and caring woman who was initially employed as a nurse and cared for her partner. Over twenty years they developed a very loving relationship which was never publically acknowledged. When her partner died she felt she was unable to grieve with his family in a way that reflected her love for him. In some ways, Halgin touched on this as he discussed how he worried he would be acknowledged at the funeral/contacted afterwards. He had been so close to his client and had invested so much of himself in his care yet how as his therapist could he show/express this? I had not thought of this client for over 20 years!

Juliette Mac Cormaic
Ireland

Saturday, December 20, 2008 12:33AM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

The article by Yalom on Robert Berger MD is riveting. It addresses friendship, genocide, triumph of the human spirit, the ability to overcome horrible circumstances and more.

Monica Slone
Palmdale, CA

Friday, December 19, 2008 11:49AM
Topic: Interviews: Gottman

That was an amazing interview with Gottman. Full of great content, worth chewing on, and with plenty of practical considerations. Thank you for publishing it.

Matthew Plies
Portland, Oregon

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:17PM
Topic: Articles: Halgin

I read your article and the conflicted feelings you felt regarding attending the funeral of your client. My wife died in 1999 after a 3 1/2 year struggle with Blood Cancer, and was treated by an Oncologist in his office, and later during her hospitalization. As her illness progressed she told me her Doctor no longer talks with her as before. I mentioned this to the Doctor, and he stated that when he feels there is no treatment that would be helpful, he tries to distance himself from the patient to ease his pain and feeling of failure. He assigned a Colleague to see my wife, and talk to her as a caring person, and not as a treating Physician. I accepted his feelings as the reason treating Doctors seldom attend their patient's funeral.

Julius Romanoff,Ed.D.
Newtown, PA

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:53PM
Topic: Articles: Halgin

The piece on whether a therapist should attend the funeral of a patient is a sensitively written article on a delicate issue that manages to capture the nuances of such decisions. Patients often do not realize the ways in which they touch us, and I supposed that in many ways, that is how it should be. Thanks Dr. Halgin, for the thoughtful piece.

Christopher Christian, Ph.D., FIPA
Thousand Oaks, CA

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:49AM
Topic: Articles: Halgin

I was very moved by Dr. Halgin's revelations about his feelings and behavior following the death of his long-time client. The feelings he described balanced with his concerns for the client's family and privacy certainly fit the model of a therapist or any type of medical person that many of us would like to have a relationship with, when needed. I appreciate Dr. Halgin's story revealing the depths of his empathy and I offer him my condolences on the loss of his client. I hope that he continues to find happiness and hope in his memories of this person who affected his life so deeply.

Susan Davis
Ohio

Thursday, December 11, 2008 2:03PM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

I have to agree with you. First the American Indians and Jews and Blacks and women can fall in there too. This world needs to see people with their hearts rather than their racist eyes. People would be better off.

Sandra Polm
Maryland

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 8:48PM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

I just read I'm Calling the Police in psychotherap.net. I am an African American psychotherapy intern from Bowie State University. This is my second career and I am 60 years old. A fan of Irv Yalom, by the way. I similarly have always had difficulty seeing slaves tortured or hung. Most of my life I avoided Black slave history and chose to look at other aspects of the Black American experience.

The other thing is that I have always had a resentment about the Jewish Holocaust story. Even upon starting to read the article, I could feel myself getting annoyed. Does psychology have to be wrapped around this Jewish pain too? I questioned in my mind? I continued reading in spite of my resistance.

Then I was transformed to the streets of Hungry triggered by a would be assassin and as startled as the Holtzberger baby in Mumbai. That a Jew is more like me than I want to admit. After shuddering through the story of Dr. Berger, I may now have the courage to look at the story of my own ancestors who were tortured and killed. I also may have less resentment and more compassion for my Jewish friends and associates. But most importantly I will continue to grow in the knowledge that my desire to save others from suffering is indeed entangled with my need to free myself of guilt.

Thank you Dr. Yalom. I hope it's good to know that you have opened at least one injured heart, and it's amazing that you could do it even without a scalpel.

Carol Binta Nadeem, CCDC, Counseling Intern
Maryland

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:18AM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

In the "I'm Calling the Police" article, I was very struck by Robert's ability to unlock himself from the mesmerizing effect of trauma and call out for help. What it was inside of him that allowed him to do that as a teenager is amazing, and it is obvious that the memory of doing that enabled him to do it a second time in Caracas. It is a beautiful article and valuable contribution to the literature on both trauma and the holocaust.

Susan Berger
Walnut Creek, California

Monday, November 24, 2008 2:04PM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

I have finished reading I'm Calling the Police! by Yalom and Berger and my hands are still shaking and my heart pounding. What does one do when someone shares such horror with you? The answer is listening and sharing your humanity as Dr. Yalom has done with his friend. As I was reading the article I become engrossed with Dr. Berger’s story and relating to his reaction and to Dr. Yalom’s reaction and yet how both are accepting of each one’s response without judgment. Thank you for sharing this man’s life.

Richard Cloyd
Seymour, Tennessee .

Monday, November 24, 2008 10:55AM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

My eyes are still wet and my emotions very frail after just reading the story of the Jewish heart doctor (I'm Calling the Police by Yalom and Berger). It's beyond any frame of reference I have. All I know is that his story makes me want to value those I love even more because I'm too chicken to succumb to fearful thoughts that life could ever be THAT awful. Big sigh...

Extremely impressed with the website!

Rachele Oloane
San Ramon, CA

Friday, November 21, 2008 11:42AM
Topic: Articles: Yalom

Yalom and Berger's new story - I'm calling the police! granted the world another fascinating gift - an emotional, exciting, compelling, genuine, and full of suspense story. It is both personal and universal. It is a fascinating story about fifty years of a unique friendship. I love the way the authors convey their complex feelings, thoughts, ideas, and experiences in a 'simple' manner. It needs to reach the largest possible number of readers around the world.
with appreciation,
Dity

Dity Brunn, PsyD
Beverly Hills & NY

Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:05AM
Topic: General Comments

Cool site.

Pat Williams

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 5:05AM
Topic: General Comments

Hi I am new comer to this site. I am very happy to post my comment in this blog. I gathered lot of information. I enjoyed when i read this blog.
Recc www.alcohol-rehab.cn

symonds
China

Sunday, October 26, 2008 9:51AM
Topic: General Comments

CONGRATULATIONS. The site is AWESOME!!! Continue growing successful minds.

Maria Margarita Peña Bobrek
Raeford, NC

Saturday, September 6, 2008 4:01AM
Topic: Videos: Stages of Change

I am a long time follower of the Stages of Change model. I was 1st introduced to the model it in the mid 90's and it has revolutionized my personal, social and occupational life. I thoroughly enjoyed the video, Stages of Change for Addictions. Thanks for all you and yours are doing and for being there.

kelly c henson
Clayton NC

Sunday, August 31, 2008 12:40PM
Topic: Interviews: Szasz

I read your (Wyatt's) interview with Szasz. It's one of the best, perhaps the best, interview with him ever, in my opinion. I mentioned to Szasz that I had been in touch with you, and that I thought your interview with him was the best I had ever read. His reply: "I agree."

Anthony Stadlen
London, England

Sunday, August 31, 2008 4:30AM
Topic: Other

I am interested in contacting other people who have successfully completed psychotherapy. Are there any such groups or organizations? If you know of any, please contact me at bobgeb@comcast.net. Thanks.

Bob Gebelein
Provincetown, MA

Friday, August 29, 2008 2:54AM
Topic: Videos

It is so good to be able to access DVDs and books from this site. Our group of 7 counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK meet regularly for supervision and study. We were pleased to watch 'The Gift of Therapy' at one of these sessions - with several interuptions for related discussion about ourselves and our clients and to read Irvin Yalom's books - latest for us is 'Staring at The Sun' (we are all getting on a bit). Thank you.

Maureen Staines
Suffolk, UK

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:43AM
Topic: Videos

As a psychiatrist with long background in psychotherapy training it is always a pleasure to watch and learn from the masters of various therapies; from those walking the path before us. We cannot be innovative and become more effective in our work if we do not know what all the other schools of therapies are doing well or even not so well. I'm grateful for having a personal library of hundreds of video/DVD and audio recordings of master therapists, and I just recently added to my collection from this website. Therefore it is a pleasure to praise this website for what they are doing well.
I also see that the cost of this website's DVDs are very reasonable priced, as educational DVDs are usually sold for well above a hundred dollars, and it is not unusual to see programs even for several hundreds of dollars.

Recipient of the America's Top Psychiatrists Award Board Certified in Psychiatry

Peter Migaly, M.D
Pennsylvania

Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:19AM
Topic: Interviews: Heitler

As a marriage and family therapist in practice for 20+ years, Dr. Heitler and I share similar views about the tremendous value of tag teaming individual with couple therapy. When couples both freely accept and understand the healing power of my "no secrets" policy, we can address couple issues more directly. Progress speeds along.

I believe that there is a continuity of experience gained by couples seeing the same therapist---for individual and couples work. The inevitable cross pollination creates an energy not possible with "split" therapy. The trust factor expands as does the therapeutic relationship. The potential for dramatic change quickly is astounding.

I work from a wellness and strength based perspective with a coaching methodology. From clients I hear repeatedly, " I never thought about it that way before", "You just explained in five minutes what I have been trying to explain for ten years"," That's so down-to-earth" and other exclamations indicating rapid change.

My doctorate is in marriage and family therapy and I am licensed as a LMFT and LPC.

Patt H Pickett Ph.D., LMFT, LPC
St. Louis MO area

Sunday, July 13, 2008 2:16PM
Topic: Interviews: Moreno

The interview with Zerka Moreno brings back many memories. I first met Jacob Moreno when he taught at NYU in the early 1950's - not mentioned on the internet. I used to attend his Friday sessions at the Architect's Bld in NYC. As a sociologist, his importance to clinical practice is, of course very important but his importance to sociometry is rarely emphasized. Bales, Borgatta, and a host of others, expanded on Moreno's thinking in expanding sociology.
In any case, I used to wisecrack that Moreno dreamt to the day when his picture would replace that of Freud on the wall. They both deserve to be up there.

Nathaniel Siegel
Westchester, N. Y.

Thursday, June 26, 2008 2:24AM
Topic: General Comments

Am glad to be here i love empowering people with things they didn't know.

gin davis
Florida

Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:50PM
Topic: General Comments

I've always enjoyed this site. The interviews and DVDs are excellent, as are the articles. As a therapist starting out, I have got a lot from this site, and of course, a good laugh.

nikki
USA

Saturday, June 21, 2008 8:38PM
Topic: Articles

Just read Shades of Gray article. My reaction is one of appreciation as I have encountered similar feelings of being 'rudderless' in my own work in prison where gray was and is sometimes all there can be. My deepest appreciation to the author and to psychotherapy.net for sharing the real gray experiences of others with us, thus making it a slightly less lonely place.

Southeast U.S.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:55PM
Topic: Articles: Snake Oil

While I find this article [on Gurus and Snake Oil] interesting, I also have to say that you have an interest in bashing these self-help "Gurus". Another words you're playing for the other team. I find it hard to beleive that EVERYTHING that they say is false. And having listed to some of these people, I can say that in fact they have improved my life.

Ralph Hicks
Chicago

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 9:45AM
Topic: Articles

Shades of Gray was a touching article. However, I'm appalled the client could not find a therapist to take her because of liability issues! Isn't failure to treat a liability issue?

Gloria Royster
Henderson, KY

Saturday, June 7, 2008 10:45AM
Topic: Articles: Palumbo Hollywood

I just would like to send appreciation over the ocean to Dennis Palumbo for his great to read, alive account of what happens in psychotherapy with creative people.

Thank you!

Adina Julia Steinr?cke
Germany

Friday, June 6, 2008 10:51AM
Topic: General Comments

I am happy you have this site, it is a good site, user friendly and informative to legal advocates for abused women and children like myself.

deb
USA

Friday, June 6, 2008 6:48AM
Topic: General Comments

Great website and great resources.

Fernando Mattos Guimaraes
Boston, MA

Thursday, June 5, 2008 5:13PM
Topic: General Comments

Gracias por ser un recurso para los profesionales de l conducta en todos los idiomas.

Maria S Pinto
Puerto Rico

Thursday, June 5, 2008 2:52PM
Topic: Hollywood on Couch

I loved Palumbo article, Hollywood on the Couch, and was drawn to it after attending his workshop at the recent CAMFT conference at the LAX Marriott Hotel. I bought Palumbo's book Crime to Crime and am reading it now and enjoying it immensely. Thank you for sharing your wonderful wit with the rest of us.

Martha E. Lujan, M.S., L.M.F.T.
Altadena, California

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:03AM
Topic: Interviews

Through my research, I found your interview with McGoldrick online and feel this interview will provide valuable information to our staff about Monica McGoldrick. It is phenomenal! I am a Training Specialist with the Massachusetts Child Welfare Institute at the Department of Social Services. Presently I am developing a training for Child Protection Social Workers on constructing and interpreting genograms.

Andrea Meninno, LICSW
Boston, Massachusetts

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:05PM
Topic: Interviews: Renik

I want to thank Randall Wyatt for the interview with Owen Renick, MD on psychotherapy.net. As a social worker working with very resistant and/or discouraged clients I enjoy reading something that helps me with my work to understand both myself as a counselor and my clients as people. I look forward to reading future articles and interviews on psychotherapy.net.

John Pesciallo
Walla Walla, Washington

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 1:02AM
Topic: General Comments

Howdy! Just wanna say thank you for the good service. When I just surfed in, I already find this site interesting. I'm sure, I could learn more from here.

cathy smith
new york, usa

Thursday, April 3, 2008 11:32PM
Topic: General Comments

I've always enjoyed this site. The interviews and DVDs are excellent, as are the articles. As a therapist starting out, I have got a lot from this site, and of course, a good laugh. Thumbs up! Mark

Mark O Mahony
Dublin, Ireland

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 1:36AM
Topic: General Comments

Thank you for the good service and sending me a signature copy of Irvin Yalom's latest book. I am lucky to be doing therapy out here in the Atlantic and enjoying the update of the masters' great work.

K?ri Leivsson
FAROE ISLANDS

Monday, March 31, 2008 7:37AM
Topic: Site Content

i love the site. keep it up.

kentocky

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 12:49PM
Topic: General Comments

Love the site. Thanks especially for the humor. I needed that! Sandy

Sandra Wilson
San Diego

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 12:05PM
Topic: Humor

Victor,
Your cartoons are hilarious. Especially like the Fruit Group Therapy. Thanks for the laughs!

Tina
San Francisco, CA

Monday, March 17, 2008 11:46PM
Topic: General Comments

Your site is very useful.

Pat Williams

Sunday, March 16, 2008 4:40PM
Topic: General Comments

Just wanted to say that I appreciate all of the work that you all put into providing such great material.

Nate Koser
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Thursday, March 6, 2008 10:13AM
Topic: General Comments

Hello colleague, Thank you for this wonderful site. This is place to be human really!

Valentina Berezhna
Ukraine,Odessa

Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:03PM
Topic: General Comments

Great humor!

Mary Nicolini
Sarasota, Florida

Saturday, March 1, 2008 5:02AM
Topic: General Comments

I found your website for the first time last week. In fact, I may have noticed it earlier but not really made the effort to read the stories and interviews offered. Can I congratulate you for the content and form of your site? Whenever I get a bit distraught after work or just want to relax a while I will flip thru those interviews and articles and find great satisfaction and inspiration reading them. In addition, I've placed my first order for DVD material which looks interesting. Best wishes, Bruce

Bruce Kirkcaldy
Germany

Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:46PM
Topic: Articles

I read Psychotherapy in China: Western and Eastern Perspectives as a handout from my therapeutic communication professor. I was struck by how much Dr. Myler absorbed Chinese culture. I was saying mentally "this guy has got it." I also appreciate Dr. Tong's suggestions on being a therapist seeing clients from different cultures and how to be culturally competent. I am a single child, yes one of those born in the early 80s. I was born in Beijing and received a good education. I was majoring in law in college in China and got my masters in law at University of Wisconsin Madison. I see the increasing stress among the Chinese people, especially young people, the change of family structure, values, the nonexistence of a trust system, and the changing roles of women. I personally think that Chinese women and the younger generations are more open to new forms of psychotherapy. I can sense the Chinese people?s thirst for new theory, new methodology and new ways. They are trying to seek out help in their healing process.

Yi Zhao aka Ripple
San Francisco, California

Friday, February 22, 2008 3:30PM
Topic: General Comments

I want to say thanks for your hard work. Thanks for your books and to share your experience.

Airamaia
Brazil

Saturday, February 16, 2008 10:55AM
Topic: General Comments

This resource is a veritable seam of gold in the mine of human consciousness. I hope to join in with this effort and share my insights with my fellow prospectors. See www.addictionresolution.com.

Andrew Dettman
Hull - East Yorkshire. Great Britain.

Friday, February 15, 2008 3:56PM
Topic: Interviews

As a current patient who advocates for the Patient's Voice to be heard in the first person both in the consulting room as well as on the written page (electronic and otherwise), the interview with Owen Renik was indeed refreshing and most moving in its expression of his passion and dedication to empowering the voice of the patient. When I read his book, "Practical Psychonanlysis," the notes I took that began spilling out of the margins became the basis for much good material in my own analysis. I emailed my therapist who was quite familiar with Renik's work, and said something like "I am inhaling this stuff!" As my therapist "treats" me much in the same relational manner as Renik advocates, my "discovery" was put to good use. I am wondering if sites like this one can encourage participation on the part of patients who would benefit from learning more about the process in which they are engaged - by both listening to, and contributing to, the ongoing outreach that has become the signature of the "new", but not-so-known-yet psychoanalysis.

Anonymous
NYC

Thursday, February 14, 2008 2:55PM
Topic: Interviews

I have been doing psychotherapy for over 35 years and have come to practice very much the way Owen describes in the outstanding interview with Wyatt. Prior to reading it I was not familiar with his work. I read the excerpt on the site and plan to check out the book. Thanks so much!

Frank Timmons
Denver, Colorado

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:42PM
Topic: Products and Services

Wonderful site. I placed my order 2-10-08 and will be coming back for more.

Alexander L. Meza
Brea, California

Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:02AM
Topic: Products and Services

I am very thankful for such a site like this one. It is just what the doctor ordered.

Mark Huddleston
California

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:57PM
Topic: Articles

I appreciated the article on managing O.D.D. I am a psychology student currently employed as a resource room paraeducator in a middle school. It seems that every other student has this dx in their I.E.P., but many of us are in the dark as to how to apply positive behavior management interventions. Thanks, Val

Val Bobincheck
Spokane, WA

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:18AM
Topic: General Comments

hi, love the site, keep up the hard work.

helen

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 10:06AM
Topic: General Comments

Happy New Year to all! Please be the first for 2008 to grace this guestbook with your thoughts,ruminations, or insights. With appreciation for your continued support.

Victor Yalom, PhD, President, Psychotherapy.net
San Francisco, California