Legendary Psychotherapists

How did I feel about Dr. Freud?

1) I got amazed by the sheer volume of his literature.
2) I came to know that he had published his work in German language, which later was translated into English. English language did not have appropriate words that will communicate the exact meaning, Dr. Freud had in mind. That might have resulted in misunderstanding and dispute and lot of criticism.

My feelings about Perlss

How did I feel after reading these books and knowing more about this couple?

Laura Perls.jpg

When I read gestalt therapy for the first time, I fell in love with all basic concepts and the way it was conducted by Fritz (in his verbatim). It was a kind of roller-coaster of emotions like excitement,

My feelings about Erik Erickson

My learning -

1) I felt very uncomfortable when I first learned about Erik's unknown father and that he was illegitimate son. I imagined what he might have gone through after learning about the truth late during his adolescence. Later, I felt that how creatively Erik used his identity confusion to study psychology, that too of small children and also that of troubled children. He could easily empathize with them in his practice.

My feelings about Carl Rogers

How did I feel after compilation?

Congruence -- genuineness, honesty with the client, Empathy -- the ability to feel what the client feels, Respect -- acceptance, unconditional positive regard towards the client are necessary qualities of a therapist. These lines had great impact on me while undergoing training.

Dr. Irvin Yalom

Irvin David Yalom

Born on June 13 1931 in Washington DC,
(He would be 79 years old)

He is M.D., is an author of fiction and nonfiction,
Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University,
An existentialist, and
Accomplished psychotherapist.
-------------------------------

He is my favorite author and psychotherapist.

My feelings about Dr. Albert Ellis

How did I feel after this compilation?

When I read that his mother as a self-absorbed woman with a bipolar disorder and Ellis' father was a businessman, who was often away from home on business trips and, showed little affection to his children….I felt bad for Ellis.

My feelings about Abraham Maslow

How did I feel after this compilation?

I felt amazed to know that he was one of the seven children to poor parents. He was pushed to excel in academics by his parents.
I felt intrigued when I read that he sought for many mentors in his youth and tried to solve un unconscious existential riddle probably dormant in his own mind.

What did I learn about Dr. Adler?

I learned that the every day use of so many words come from Dr. Adler's contribution -

- Personality types
- Inferiority and superiority complex
- Prevention of maladaptive behaviors
- Parent education (especially refraining from two evils - neglect and pampering)

How did I feel about Dr. Jung?

I felt bad when I learned about poverty in his family, his mother's illness (psychosis), he being only survivor among his siblings.

I could see his avoidance to study in his childhood as his need for maternal attention and love.

My learning about Eric Berne

1) Eric could not get his father's guidance during his adolescence as he died early. That might have affected him in some way, as I see.

2) I don't know why he wrote his articles under pseudonyms and also why he chose to change his surname.