Category: Writings

“So, how do you know that what you do works, Barrett?” When I hear this I always pause a bit. I know that this is one of those questions that should generate a clear and concise answer from me, but I don’t really have one. And I feel after all these years that I may never. I begin by saying… Read more →

There are a series of scenes in the center of the movie Titanic that, I feel, emphasize the importance of creative activity and its relation to our health and well-being. You may recall (assuming you saw the movie, and most of us did) that after the mother of the young heroine discovers her infatuation with the artist, she successfully persuades… Read more →

He learned that juggling could be less about control than about the struggle to accept the fear and turmoil surrounding uncontrollable events. From “The Juggler” An interview with Michael Mochen by Mark Levine (New Yorker Dec. 7, 1998) I’ve spent a great deal of time finding analogies for the nature of my work. These have included forays into the cinema,… Read more →

In The Wisdom of the Body (Knopt 1997) by Sherwin Nuland, the author traces the origins of the word “instinct” to the latin “stinguere,” meaning to goad or to prick. He points out that the word instigate has the same origin, and emphasizes the persistent and compelling nature of our inherent and genetically acquired tendencies to behave in certain ways.… Read more →

Every once in awhile, I sense a shift in my vision of the clinic Either I’m less often surprised, or I’ve come to accept not knowing what to expect I don’t know which My fascination with the modern science of chaos theory has led me to conclude that it is impossible to know enough about the present to make a… Read more →

You may ask, “How did this tradition get started?” “I don’t know. But it’s a tradition. And because of our traditions every one of us knows who he is, and what God expects him to do.” Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” “I really like the stuff you taught us here and it makes perfect sense to me. I have… Read more →

I’ve noticed over the years that very little of what I say, demonstrate or see displayed at my workshops has much of a subsequent impact on the practice or methods of those attending. I realize, of course, that if I want people to attend these things that I shouldn’t say that out loud. But, for me, writing is mainly about… Read more →

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. -Albert Einstein I read a physician’s note recently regarding one of my patients; “Either time or physical therapy solved this problem.” Great. Another reminder that many people continue to wonder if therapy really makes the difference we would like it to. Some of these people are my own patients.… Read more →

I was told that this young lady practices her violin five hours a day. On the phone her mother asked me several times if I wouldn’t tell her to cut down on this, perhaps rest often and leave her instrument at home when they vacation next month. I told her that I simply wouldn’t do this, that although she might… Read more →

He did not know how long it took, but later he looked back on this time of crying in the corner of the dark cave and thought of it as when he learned the most important rule of survival, which was that feeling sorry for yourself didn’t work. From Hatchet by Gary Paulsen “I felt so foolish, and it certainly… Read more →