mysteryshrink

I'm a psychologist who goes to way too many movies, for the same reason I chose this profession. I love stories. I use movies and novels working with people in my office and during speaking engagements. "You should write some of this down," I kept being told. So, this is it, folks.

Dr. Dale’s Journal: Diagnosis Black

Dale Maxwell, M.D., (October 3, 1939-June 24, 1997). The results are in. You are going to die soon. What Would You Do? If you’re like me, you’ve wondered how you’d face a really terrifying diagnosis. Bravely? Prayerfully? Drunkenly? I picture myself running around the neighborhood from house to house banging …

What Changes in Relationships when Anxiety Increases?

What Changes in Relationships when Anxiety Increases? From an article by Hal DeShong, Ph.D., P.C. ** This article is for reference with Distance in Relationships: Take a Trip on The Darjeeling Limited (Owen Wilson.) There are four biologically based anxiety-binding mechanisms [Four actions we likely initiate when we are anxious …

“I’m Okay if You’re Okay and My Family, Your Family, and Friends are Okay”

“I’m Okay if You’re Okay and My Family, Your Family, and Friends are Okay”‘ The Pact by Jodi Picoult, Part Three **This article is not a standard review but a discussion of how the story weaves in lessons in psychology and behavior. To make sense of the following, you will need to …

I’m Okay if You Are Okay with Me.

I’m Okay if You Are Okay with Me. **This article is not a standard review but a discussion of how the story weaves in lessons in psychology and behavior. What’s the difference between being in love and being locked in relationship dependence? In her novel, The Pact, Picoult does an …

Relationship Dependence: I’m Okay if You’re Okay, “The Pact”

Relationship Dependency: “I’m Okay if You’re Okay” The Pact by Jodi Picoult Part One What I’m Reading . . . **This article is not a standard review of the book but a discussion of how the story weaves in lessons in psychology and behavior. The Pact tells the story of a teen couple, Christopher …

Life Sentence Diet: Fifty-five Years Old and Still Looks Good in a Bikini!

Fifty-five Years Old and Still Looks Good in a Bikini! Life Sentence: Diets and Zooming Self Esteem A couple of decades ago my riding buddies and I were playing cards by a tiny pool at the DeLuxe Motel in Fredericksburg, Texas. When our horse trainer stepped out of her room …

Why Do They Have Television on Christmas?

Anytime I work with a personal story I remember my father’s caution against ever thinking my life is any more interesting than anyone else’s. I hope I haven’t slipped up. Maybe my little story will awaken a place in others where their stories hide. After the New Year I will …

Author Archives: mysteryshrink