Comments on: The Therapist’s New Clothes: Faith and Psychotherapy

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 03:15:33 +0000

I’ve had a few therapists each relationship ended with growth. I have depression, so continuing therapy was necessary at times, UNTIL my last therapist. After a year I was totally controlled by her until my friends and family made me aware I was always depressed. It was a painful parting for me, after a year I’ve made many changes and turned to God. I am better than I’ve ever been and know I will continue this way. I am looking forward to your book & advise all to never become their ‘friend’ as that’s when I put my life in her hands.
God has saved me.

By: Quilting to Heal After Divorce | My Faith Project

Quilting to Heal After Divorce | My Faith Project — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:12:23 +0000

[...] and work through traumatic experiences. That’s certainly how I use quilting. It’s as much therapy as recreation for [...]

By: The 5-Question Interview: Judith Schwartz | The Writer's [Inner] Journey

The 5-Question Interview: Judith Schwartz | The Writer's [Inner] Journey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:45:58 +0000

[...] I am thinking about your memoir and a recent interview on My Faith Project when I ask this: When you write does your mind wonder first what you would like, or what others [...]

By: kayMI

kayMI — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:01:12 +0000

this is so amazingly true I have one Child God gave us after trying infertility and then adoption and it took us 10 years and alot of money and I had all these plans We were going to do and then I listened to My Friends with all there busy Kids, Husband and themselves and said wait aminute You only have this minute for a minute don’t blow it and now My Son is 13 and His Friends come over a few I overheard talking and they said ” —– You are so lucky You have time to crash and hang out and enjoy Your Mom and Dad We are always in the van or at something else Wow You are so lucky We are always doing driveups and being late” You have nothing but school this week and You do PJ day I have never done that” I then knew We were doing what was perfect for Our family of 3

By: Jackie Dishner

Jackie Dishner — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:26:27 +0000

Thanks for bringing my attention to this book. Sounds fascinating. I’d been to so many therapists in my lifetime but never found the right match–the one that could help me become accountable–until a turning point in my life that instantly changed the way I saw myself. That was when I knew I had changes to make and sought out someone who could do cognitive therapy. In other words, she gave me work to do that put the onus on me to make changes I needed, really to become aware. That was the secret for me. It allowed me to do what Judith says here, not to hand over power to someone else. Good point made–on many fronts. I’ll go find this book. Thanks!

By: Barb

Barb — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:50:12 +0000

this was interesting. I went to therapy for the first time in the past year when I was going through some rough times…and I wrangle with its value the same way I wrangle with my faith (lack of? I don’t even know anymore..)…the book sounds interesting.

By: MarthaandMe

MarthaandMe — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:19:39 +0000

This looks like a really interesting book. You don’t see a lot of people debunking therapy.

By: jeanine barone

jeanine barone — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:22:01 +0000

Great and practical advice in this interview, particularly the part where it’s recommended not to give the therapist (or anyone, really) too much power over you. I know so many people who have been seeing the same therapist for 10 years or more and I see that they have the same troubles since they started therapy. It seems that they are expecting the therapist to do something to help them. And yet the therapist doesn’t seem willing to tell the patient that things need to change on their end. The book sounds interesting and I’m hoping to get it.

By: Meredith Resnick

Meredith Resnick — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:47:09 +0000

Reading this interview was at once painful and hopeful. Painful because Judith’s story brings up the sadness (–often prolonged) we endure when we look outside ourselves for our truth (I think about this and write about it, too, but not in relation to therapy – though I have been in therapy, and am a LCSW). What’s hopeful is her discovery of transformation through relationship, and her ability to put it into words on the page. The moment of awakening she had must have been amazing. I am excited to read this book. Thanks for such an insightful interview, Jen.

By: Jennifer Haupt

Jennifer Haupt — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:32:06 +0000

The therapy “partnership” is a tricky one, and I like your philosophy of being a mechanic! I agree with Judith that big problems can happen when the therapist has too much weight in the relationship, too much control. I had a therapist once who tried making it impossible for me to leave therapy. It was a really scary situation when I was at one of my most vulnerable times in life. I hate to put it this way, but “luckily” she had to quit practicing b/c of a medical condition and referred me to a wonderful therapist whose goal is also to put himself out of business in his clients’ lives–and he did that with me.