By: Suzanne Maiden My therapist said today: “Christmas is a diabolical system in America…. We have lost our way.” Whoa. I’d never heard those two words, ‘Christmas’ and ‘diabolical’ used together before. Let me explain. I began our session saying that I felt discombobulated during this Christmas season. I love the idea of Christmas. I love the idea of […]
How Do You Distinguish Between a Crush or Love?
By: Suzanne Maiden Ooooohhhhhhh, I have a new favorite song: Crush, by David Archuleta. The lyrics inspired me to think about what distinguishes a crush verses a real connection, e.g., love, verses a simple crush? What is a crush? What is love? Do all love relationships begin with a crush? Who knows? How do you decipher between them? What happens […]
When Love is Irrational
By: Suzanne Maiden Have you ever loved someone and it makes no sense? I recently had a client who stated that he loves a woman with such fervor and such frenetic intensity that throughout the session he repeatedly asked me if he were sane. I reassured him, that his sanity was well intact. He struggled to wrap […]
Interpreting Your Dreams
By: Suzanne Maiden Our dreams provide us with profound information – pregnant with meaning, dreams illuminate our emotional health. Dream data suggest what needs psychological excavation, examination, and healing. When a client needs access to difficult material they consciously resist dredging up, we explore their dreams. As Hall (1984) said, “The dream is to the psyche as an x-ray is to the body.” Oftentimes, new clients minimize and poo-poo […]
Girlfriend Stuff
Amanda from IL left a vm and expressed frustration with her girlfriend – but acknowledged, “I know it’s me.” Anytime we get a zing from someone – stop, go to the nearest mirror, and look at your reflection. It’s nearly always a projection. What characteristics does that person carry that you either deny in yourself, or […]
Listener Response
I’ve been MIA the last two months – I had a cancer recurrence, surgery, then off to a healing retreat in Eagle Nest, NM for a week. I just returned several days ago and have been catching up with my clients. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I recieved multiple emails and voice mails […]