Monthly Archives: April 2013

All better now– thanks!

Posted on April 29, 2013 by jamesmatter

Last week I saw someone for what may be the last time. She had originally come in depressed, and after a few sessions, she wasn’t depressed any more. So we cut back from every week to every other week, and … Continue reading →

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The path of peace– breathing

Posted on April 29, 2013 by jamesmatter

I just heard something on NPR this morning about how angry voices can  affect even sleeping infants.  http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/29/179237081/shhh-the-kids-can-hear-you-arguing-even-when-theyre-asleep Along with the news they included an interview with a psychologist who’s written books about stopping arguments– especially parental arguments– in order … Continue reading →

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“I have no choice!”

Posted on April 26, 2013 by jamesmatter

How many times have I heard someone say that!  I used to work at a place where many came in saying they had no choice. They were court mandated to do a six month alcohol/drug treatment program. I used to … Continue reading →

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Everyone’s in Recovery From Something

Posted on April 24, 2013 by jamesmatter

I’ve spent most of my professional career working with people who drank too much. Or smoked too much.  Or (fill in the blank) too much. And failed at controlling the behavior. To get it under control usually means not doing … Continue reading →

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One Thing Leads to Another

Posted on April 21, 2013 by jamesmatter

I was listening to the Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun in the car and was thinking about how much I like that tune– like millions of other people. And I was also thinking about the associations I have with it. … Continue reading →

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Touchstones for Healing

Posted on April 19, 2013 by jamesmatter

I realized that the intro to the blog characterizes it as “wellness of mind, body, and whatever” but it’s been a lot of stuff about the process of therapy and sort of,”what is a therapist?” But if I’m going to … Continue reading →

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Just a well paid friend

Posted on April 16, 2013 by jamesmatter

I remember first studying psychology back in the 70’s when there was a movement afoot (there were so many movements in those days, weren’t there?) called radical psychology or radical psychiatry, take your pick. One name I remember is that … Continue reading →

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Nodding and smiling

Posted on April 15, 2013 by jamesmatter

I’ve been having a lot of fun with the whole therapist shtick about nodding and saying “mm-hmm.” One of my colleagues pointed out that it’s very effective to nod, say “mm-hmm, and also smile into the bargain. In fact, she … Continue reading →

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What are people thinking, anyway?

Posted on April 12, 2013 by jamesmatter

A friend recently brought a study to my attention: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/08/176575825/retrain-the-way-those-kids-interpreted-faces It reminds me of something a salesman I met had on one of his business cards. I don’t remember the saying exactly after all this time, but it was something … Continue reading →

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Listening vs. Talking in Therapy

Posted on April 8, 2013 by jamesmatter

Listening vs. Talking in Therapy.

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