This page describes SHRINK THINK BLOG POSTS. Go to the bottom of the page for the Normal or Not Normal Posts
I am a SHRINK, not a psychiatrist but still a shrink as I am a licensed therapist. A social worker by training I eventually became a Program Director of a number of mental health programs in the Bronx. Most of that work was spent in Mott Haven, that part of the Bronx described in two very different books–Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol andBonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe. Both books capture the sadness of those living in poverty, but I think both also missed some of the strengths of those surviving against life dooming odds.
There is an old joke that says get three rabbis in a room and you will get seven opinions; Same is true of us SHRINKS. I always advise people seeking help from any source, to ask for the persons model of help, what theories drive them. Here is a link to an article I wrote about my experiences in Mott Haven and my approach to trying to help others. I was lucky enough to be involved in a federally funded program which allowed the participants a great deal of creative discretionary power. This will let you know my bias.
My other credentials include teaching various graduate level Human Development Courses at Columbia University’s School of Social Work (CUSSW) and Smith College School of Social Work. I was one of the first social workers allowed to teach one of those courses at CUSSW; for years they were taught only by pyschiatrists.
I have also been a consumer of mental health services beginning with a traditional analysis and then cognitive behavioral approaches, then family approaches. Some of my experiences were helpful, others harmful. In addition to raising my two biological sons, my husband and I were foster parents for fourteen years and provided short term care for children in trouble with the law, most were recieving mental health evaluations.
I am very familiar with how shrinks think. and have both book and practical knowledge about what it means to be Normal or Not.
Whenever I taught or conducted a workshop or training, I wrote out what I expected to cover and then my jottings into Lecture Notes or Handouts. These have always been appreciated by my students or workshop attendees.
I am now retired from formal employment and sharing on my blog is my narcissistic need to share what I have learned, what some would call my “intellectual” property.
I spent lots of years learning. I hope what I give back is valuable to someone and my need to share healthy narcissism.Doing so helps me stay strong and I hope will prove useful to at least one or two others. I am posting not just for professionals, but for anyone interested in the topic or considering consulting a shrink. Educated consumers get the best help when they understand how SHRINK’S THINK.
The first SHRINKS THINK posts deal with a question that fascinates us all what is normal and what is not.
WARNING: The poet Bobby Burns had a poem titled, To A Louse, On Seeing One on a Lady’s Bonnet. The lines “O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us/To see oursels as others see us! /It wad frae monie a blunder free us.” You can’t really decide for yourself or a friend, whether the material presented in SHRINKS THINK posts apply to you, a family member, or a friend. You simply cannot be objective in those situations. If really worried, see a professional.
Be warned. DON’T PRACTICE MEDICINE WITHOUT A LICENSE.
Be warned: DON’T PRACTICE MEDICINE WITH A LICENSE ON FRIENDS, FAMILIES, LOVERS, ENEMIES.
NORMAL OR NOT NORMAL POSTS
Normal or Not I Introduction
Normal or Not II The Mental Health Status
Normal or Not III The Mini-Mental Status Examination often used to decide if a person can’t think realistically.
often used to decide cognitive impairment. Today, I am posting two items. The first is the BASIC ID.
Normal or Not IV The Basic ID
Normal or Not V A quick symptom check list
No comments are permitted on this page, but if you want to comment on a blog posting on this topic, please protect yours, your famlies, and other people’s privacy. Therapists should identify as such and give a one sentence description of the main theory driving their practice. Blog comments will be condensed at times, spamming or abusive posts will not be allowed. I reserves the right to use my own judgement in deciding which comments to add.
If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact me and we can talk about how to share your knowledge.
Share, care, and stay strong.
