tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post3703593399727731739..comments2023-06-30T07:51:38.940-04:00Comments on Contemporary Psychoanalytic Musings: Richard Geist delineates Self from Ego PsychologyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-31106585065013804112011-09-22T08:11:13.637-04:002011-09-22T08:11:13.637-04:00I am a patient of Richard Geist. I have to say tha...I am a patient of Richard Geist. I have to say that his openness and the vulnerability he exudes is amazing. NO ONE would take the chances that he took with me, being a borderline patient. SandyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-1750354964370142052011-03-17T07:31:03.184-04:002011-03-17T07:31:03.184-04:00The lively discussion [March 12, 2011] had such gr...The lively discussion [March 12, 2011] had such great energy and I enjoyed that part of it. Over the years the Psychology of the Self has been of limited theoretical interest to me. I did not utilize it in my clinical work. <br /><br />Although affect seemed implied in much of what Geist talked about, he did not offer an explicit elaboration of its importance in his theorizing. <br /><br /><br />I tried to raise the issue albeit poorly a number of times and got one word responses. I was glad to hear you [Dr. Alexander] use the words 'emotional engagement' or the 'implicit' because that is what I was trying to get us to talk more about. It seems to me that affectivity is central to the notion of connectedness as well as to the concept of empathy.Ernesto Vasquez, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-79562559071651098702011-03-16T07:37:29.649-04:002011-03-16T07:37:29.649-04:00I enjoyed the conference. I thought
Geist was insi...I enjoyed the conference. I thought<br />Geist was insightful and interesting. He was honest regarding some of his fantasies and feelings about the client. I enjoyed listening to<br />Dr.Pam Epp's comments about how she was sensing some sexual undertones present in the session with the particular client.Christine Hardway, LCSWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-39363684514649842052011-03-15T20:03:41.879-04:002011-03-15T20:03:41.879-04:00I thought Geist modeled and presented a wonderful ...I thought Geist modeled and presented a wonderful way of being both authentic and empathic. I recognize that speakers (and writers) tend to showcase examples that wonderfully illustrate their theory, while not accounting for those that don't so much. I wanted ask him about those patients who tend to resist closeness -- those more on the schizoid end of the spectrum. This was the second of two case studies presented by Geist showcasing erotic transferences -- and wanted to ask about that, too.Steve Graham, PhDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-32953060995488973352011-03-15T13:00:37.371-04:002011-03-15T13:00:37.371-04:00Geist was refreshing, raw, real...honest, almost d...Geist was refreshing, raw, real...honest, almost disarmingly so. I think that is the beauty of his work. Powerful stuff, especially in the hands of the seasoned clinician-- a bit trickier for training purposes. When he referred to fantasies that were "un-actionable" (i.e, sharing with patient that he too had fantasy of her driving him to airport) some would argue that choosing to share that information with her is itself an action. Then one ponders to what end? to preserve the integrity and authenticity of the relationship...yes. But at what potential cost, whose needs are at the forefront? As opposed to say exploring what that fantasy represented for her. Anyway, I so admire his honesty and bravery in deftly handling the delicate moments we encounter.<br />Barbara Casasa-Cohen, PhDBarbara Casasa-Cohen, PhDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-87888411148608146342011-03-15T12:28:47.199-04:002011-03-15T12:28:47.199-04:00I enjoyed listening to Geist and agree with his vi...I enjoyed listening to Geist and agree with his views on the relationship. I admired his ability to respond to his client in such a caring manner. I did walk away thinking he was enamored with his client and was probably going to take strong criticism on his paper. It is good he has clear boundaries!Kristine Butler, LCSWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-13157106779049623752011-03-15T06:54:28.383-04:002011-03-15T06:54:28.383-04:00I really enjoyed him. He was quite fascinating. I ...I really enjoyed him. He was quite fascinating. I love how willing he was to be open and candid about his work, it was very helpful, he really dissected the process. But at the same time I realize that this business of being very present and real with the patient can be dangerous if not done responsibly and with care. He put a great deal of thought and care into it, I don’t know how to emphasize enough that it is something done with the patient in mind, not mindlessly.Jessica Rausch-Medina, MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-85521657091372640402011-03-15T06:53:37.961-04:002011-03-15T06:53:37.961-04:00An association…When I was pregnant with my son I c...An association…When I was pregnant with my son I came across a simple piece of advice in some parenting book or article. It said: 1) Don't act big. 2) Don't act small. 3) Be medium. I wrote it down right away thinking that this is just what I hope to instill in my child (and self). Richard Geist is a beautifully medium. To me, when a person is that brilliant and simultaneously gracious, well...it doesn't get better than that. It was an inspiring day.Amy Biegel, PhDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-4785348715291736042011-03-15T06:52:42.919-04:002011-03-15T06:52:42.919-04:00He was awesome! I think I am going to try to read...He was awesome! I think I am going to try to read everything he has ever written. He seemed so smart, kind and honest. He seems like the type of person who should be a therapist. I was glad that Laura has such a caring therapist and that he was willing to share the story. If there was a Geist fan club I would become an active member. He was just amazing.Carolyn Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2795619329331863089.post-25160978271075407212011-03-14T06:52:09.653-04:002011-03-14T06:52:09.653-04:00It is true that we have feelings for clients durin...It is true that we have feelings for clients during the session. It is also good to examine them in construct to why we are having them and in what light. We are not robots. If we criticize the therapeutic process then we have to ask ourselves for what purpose and who benefits. For me the important parts of his presentation reflected around the therapist support psychotherapy and not pathologies and the therapist helping the client to empathize with themselves. Would like to read more on that. It is too easy to label a client because of not understanding their fear and frustration. Finding fault and not addressing the feelings does a disservice to the therapist and the client.Richard Niklanoreply@blogger.com