[humanser] What's a psychotherapist to do?

[Michael Abell]

Hi JD!
	Thank you for providing the insightful response that you provided.
This is exactly the type of discussion that I was hoping to create. I think
that we in the human service field need to constantly return to the  reason
that we entered the field to begin with. I would encourage all to write a
letter to yourself (if you have not already done so) and read it every so
often. Reflect on it and write another that answers the letter and speak to
the future again. This is a great introspection tool!
	JD, my brother, I love that you referenced this movie! This movie is
a profound one and another one that I would encourage others to watch. It
challenges our ethics, calling, and compassion. The only question left to
answer ifs , "Who will cry for the little boy?"

Regards,

Michael "Big Dog" Abell

Helping individuals to find their eyes in the dark.
(480) 369-0805



-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of JD Townsend
via humanser
Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2015 4:08 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: JD Townsend
Subject: Re: [humanser] What's a psychotherapist to do?


Hello:

Some excellent suggestions from the list.  Here are a couple of suggestions
of my own.

Overly serious teens do like to do inventories.  I have several ones that I
use from the "Beck Self-Inventory" to "What Bird Are You."  Another that
identifies personal attributes is the "Building My House" exercise.  These
pencil & paper exercises are then discussed in some detail, opening up a
series of therapeutic openings.

Offering 3 wishes is often good.

The major issues with 15 year olds are most often social in nature and her
presentation to you displays her issues.  The work of psychotherapy is in
the transference, I'm guessing that this will be the work of your treatment.

So, being a consistant caring presence in her life may be the better course
of treatment.

Sometimes I give video homework.  The film ANTWAN FISHER is about a young
man in therapy who chooses not to talk in therapy, but opens up over the
course of the film.  I will often ask teens about books, films, videos,
music that have engaged them.  Their descriptions of the film will often
give you clues to their inner workings.  Boys love to talk about Darth
Vader's relationship to his son, Luke Skywalker.


JD

-----Original Message-----
From: Paulette Vickery via humanser
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2015 11:38 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Paulette Vickery
Subject: [humanser] What's a psychotherapist to do?

Hi all,



I am seeing a 15 year old girl on Saturday afternoon. She is a very serious
girl. She goes to school, plays sports, does homework at home, then goes to
bed. Her mother and slightly older sister argue a lot and are both quite
volatile and controlling. With out going further into the matter, the girl
doesn't know how to relax and just have fun. I want to break her pattern of
seriousness by doing something unexpected and fun. However, I have not
worked with adolescents for quite a while. I can think of several things I
could do with younger children, but I am stumpt about  what to do with her.
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.



Paulette

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JD Townsend LCSW
Helping the light dependent to see.
Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System 


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