Confession

January 22, 2013, 8:16 pmDr. Psychobabble6 comments

“Psychoanalysis is the confession without absolution.”

- Germaine Greer

L'air

I continue to find my job fascinating at moments. Today I saw four patients for psychotherapy. All four of them happened to confess something to me. For two of them, it was the first time confessing the particulars of their life.

I continue to find psychotherapy challenging at times. People share their deepest secrets with me. I’m in some ways like a priest in a confessional booth. Although I think it’s more difficult for my patients to share with me, in many ways. My patients don’t get to hide behind a screen. They bare their souls to me like nudity in public. That takes some major strength. And I always tell them so.

Flatbush

The thing is, I don’t always know exactly how to respond. Sometimes I just offer my ear. Sometimes a bit of disguised advice. Sometimes I’m just there. It can be both empowering and unpowering at the same time. I feel privileged to share their secrets. But I sometimes feel powerless to do anything about it. And question whether or not my words are the right ones at the right time. But I press on. Learning about others is also learning about me. Thank you, patients. Your strength adds to mine.

Photos: My lovely Brooklyn 99 cents store fronts.

Part of My “Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

  • Jun

    I continue to find you admirable in your passion and dedication to your job. God knows, I sometimes don’t know what to say when my patients confess their deepest secrets to me too.

    • http://doctorpsychobabble.com Dr. Psychobabble

      thanks so much! and thanks for sharing…it’s always so comforting to know that i’m not alone in my confusion!

  • TheseScrubs

    Kendra. We never know what subtle seeds we may plant inside others. You’re a star cuz you try to be one.

    • http://doctorpsychobabble.com Dr. Psychobabble

      the subtle seeds are what keep me going…and thanks!

  • cdnintern

    I’m in my intern year of a non-psychiatry residency, and doing my third-ever psych rotation. Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone in this one. What a privilege to hear people’s stories. We will learn the right things to say (or not say) in time. Our patients can be our best teachers. Keep up the great stories.

    • http://doctorpsychobabble.com Dr. Psychobabble

      I will keep ‘on a sharing. Always so HAPPY to hear when my nonsense makes sense to others. :)