Keep the feet on parallel tracks, I’ve heard yoga teachers say to help with balance in poses like lunges or allow more dignity to our legs in warrior one. Parallel tracks make movements consistent: one line, two directions. I can do that with my thoughts: let them move forward, from cause to consequence, or moveContinue reading “I lost my train of thought”
Author Archives: empatherapynl
What my logo “means”
While not necessarily being a DIY person, I am very much of a DIY professional. I learned how to make a basic website, I asked for no advice for the logo, the name, my presence on social media. I have patiently drawn on my iPad to craft a title for my workshop, I have takenContinue reading “What my logo “means””
Seeing what is not there
I’ve always felt close to writers. Sometimes, when psychologists become the specialists of data and criteria, I feel closer to writers than to my own colleagues. Writers imagine what it is to inhabit worlds that don’t exist. They have perfected the ability to relate to what is not there — my bio on substack is:Continue reading “Seeing what is not there”
What’s behind the candles
On December 30th, 2020, exactly five years ago, inspired by an interview between Tlon and Paola Maugeri, I posted a candle, with this caption: “Lighting up torches to avoid waiting for sunrise”[…]As nature withdraws, our December becomes filled with lights, decorations, sweets, festivities, music and celebrations. While on the one hand it’s important to fosterContinue reading “What’s behind the candles”
A room full of mirrors
It’s hard to meet someone more selfish than a person who suffers. Pain — a certain kind of pain — can transform us in the blindest to others, dressing every event around us as a personal attack, and everyone else as an enemy who’s there to hurt us. This explains (without excusing) the worst thingsContinue reading “A room full of mirrors”
Dot dot dot
December asks few words and gives even less. It’s cheap with images, thrifty with sounds, neutral in smells. I’m inhabited by a sense of quiet wait, patient suspension. Things will have time to happen, and underneath everything there’s an invisible fertility that has just slowed down but never stopped. If you pay close attention, youContinue reading “Dot dot dot”
Hello darkness, my estranged friend
There’s a reason why it’s so hard for a politician to tell their potential electors they will tax people more. Those people will probably not vote for them.Similarly, it’s hard for a psychologist to say that therapy doesn’t always make you feel better immediately and that it takes long to get deep inside yourself andContinue reading “Hello darkness, my estranged friend”
Too fast to go anywhere
I always enjoyed trains. What seems now to be treated as a meme of neurodivergence is actually not an uncommon trait.Ask around, and many people will tell you they find trains relaxing or soothing in some intangible way. With due exceptions, like crowdedness or Italian delays, there is some comfort in moving while being still.Continue reading “Too fast to go anywhere”
Eyes on the goal and away from you
The person who really knows what they want has a good reputation in our society. Assertive, voracious, desiring and desirable. “She really knows what she wants”, similar to “he’s a self made man”. Almost a mythological creature.Raised by wolves or aliens, the person who knows what she wants is usually a doer. She sees, sheContinue reading “Eyes on the goal and away from you”
Unclear messages
My skin talks a lot. It goes on and on and on about everything and nothing and most of the time I can’t even grasp what it’s telling me. – You don’t know what happened to me the other day. Unbelievable!– What?– This crazy thing! Crazy things always happen to me. Like have I everContinue reading “Unclear messages”
Empatherapy 