therapists in therapy

"...you become vulnerable. And, you kinda realise what your clients are going through in that process. So, for me that was very powerful (…). I suppose my own therapy has taught me that it is quite humbling to go through that process. To know the impact that it has on a person (…). I don’t think you can actually be a therapist without going through your own therapy, at some or other stage. I think you need to experience the therapeutic process. I have gained so much, you know, to work on with myself. And, being empowered (…). It is a process of continual evolvement"

Intern Psychologist commenting on her own development through personal therapy.
Extract from THERAPIST METAMORPHOSIS: BEGINNER AND EXPERIENCED PSYCHOTHERAPISTS’ JOURNEYS OF PROFESSIONAL THERAPEUTIC DEVELOPMENT

Brain intricacies

Psychological baggage

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Mommy

mommy is no longer a person
just an a
she gets dressed
she goes to the hairdresser
she walks in the streets
her feet trip
she consults the psychiatrist
just like an ordinary person...

it would like to believe in people
never mind a god.
- Ingrid Jonker









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Come to my soul dressed in white, with a branch of bleeding roses. - Pablo Neruda

I want to do with you what spring does with cherry blossom trees. - Pablo Neruda

When you write again

...And I have written you
On the open page
Of my sadness
Your nameless word
When you write again in your diary
Remember
To see in my eyes
The sun that I now cover for ever
With black butterflies
-Ingrid Jonker

When you laugh

Your laugh is a split pomegranate
Laugh again
so I can hear how pomegranates laugh

Ingrid Jonker

Song of the rag doll

I am the rag doll that does not speak
and your love's the only love I seek...
-Ingrid Jonker

Freudian insights: Talking over things cures!

"We found, at first to our greatest surprise, that the individual hysterical symptoms immediately disappeared without returning if we succeeded in thoroughly awakening the memories of the causal process with its accompanying affect, and if the patient circumstantially discussed the process giving free play to the affect. Affectless memories are almost utterly useless. The psychic process originally rebuffed must be reproduced as vividly as possible so as to bring it back into the statum nascendi and then be thoroughly “talked over.”"

Freud & Breuer, 1912

The Squid and the Whale

This film (2005) explores the ramifications of divorce in a family with adolescents.

The Story of Us

This film explores the highs and lows of marriage and family life.

Rachel Getting Maried

This film (2008) explores familial dynamics and strains around Substance Dependence and recovery

Real Women Have Curves

This independent film (2002) poses questions around Acculturation and Eating Disorders.

Mrs Parker & the Vicious Circle

This film portrays Substance Dependence.

The Silence of the Lambs

This film gives a chilling account of ASPD and psychopathy

Requiem for a Dream

This film explores various types of Substance Dependence.

The Beaver

This film (2011) portrays the struggle of one man to overcome his severe Major Depression.

Postcards from the Edge

This film is loosely based on Carrie Fischer's struggle with Substance Dependence

Shutter Island

This film (2010) and book (2003) raise questions around society's relationship to mental disorders and does show some aspects of Schizophrenia.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

This film (1993) explores the familial experience of mental health challenges including Mental Retardation and Tic Disorder as well as maternal Depression.

Darkness Visible

Is a mood memoir (1989) that traces the descent into Depression and recovery out of the depths

Perfect: Anorexia and me

This memoir (2008) of Emily Halban is a recent account of coming out of Anorexia Nervosa through the process of psychotherapy.

The Basketball Diaries

This film (1995) was based on the memoir (1978). Opioid dependence is depicted within the world of adolescence.

Get Me Out of Here

This is one of the best memoirs I have read. It traces the psychotherapy of 'Rachel Reiland' who is being treated for Borderline Personality Disorder.

Boy A

This film (2007) and book (2004) depicts when an adolescent boy kills a young child and the difficulty with integrating back into society.

Iris

This film (2001) depicts Dementia, Alzheimer's Type.

Shine

This film (1996) offers a depiction of the strengths and vulnerabilities of an individual living with a mental disorder.

Running with Scissors

This film (2006) and book (2002) by Augusten Burroughs gives one insights into what it means to have a mother with a mental disorder.

Snowcake

This film (2006) portrays a woman living with Autistic Disorder.

Sleeping With The Enemy

This film depicts the dynamics of Abuse.

When A Man Loves A Woman

This film explores a woman's recovery from Alcohol Dependence and also highlights features of codependency in her relationship with her husband.

Trainspotting

This film explores Opioid Dependence within its social context.

White Oleander

This film (2002) and memoir explores the ramifications of trauma in Adolescence and its attendant relationship and social stressors.

Prince of Tides

This film depicts how an adult is coming to terms with trauma in his childhood. The film also depicts the slippery slope of ethics being crossed by professionals.

We Need To Talk About Kevin

This recent film (2011) explores how an individual kills others and also Parent Child relations that are problematic.

Ordinary People

This classic film portrays the therapeutic process of a young man coming to terms with the death of his brother. Family dynamics around Bereavement are also explored.

My Name is Bill W.

This film explores the AA movement and recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder.

i am sam

This film sets out to explore what it means to be an adult with a developmental disorder.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This film raises questions around the importance of memory for human beings and their relationships.

Brothers

This film (2009) gives one a glimpse of the pain of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder of soldiers.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

This classic film (1975) poses questions around treatment of mental illness.

Nell

This film raises questions around what it means to live in a social world as opposed to isolation and the ramifications of trauma in our relationships to others and to self

Mr Jones

This film depicts Bipolar Disorder, it also raises ethical questions for mental health professionals

My Week with Marilyn

This film gives a glimpse into the life of Marilyn Monroe, who is said to have had Borderline Personality Disorder.

Lars and the Real Girl

This film (2007) portrays the implications of social isolation and human loneliness