Went out to see Mr. & Mrs. Smith yesterday. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have some excellent on-screen chemistry going there. The dialogue was excellent, although the storyline, not so much; it dragged in the middle or lost direction or something. But for a big ole metaphor for marriage, it was well done. It got giggles from me.
Got an “initial evaluation” appointment with a behavioral therapist today–I assume psychiatrist. If it’s a psychiatrist, why don’t they call it the “Psychiatry Department” instead of “Behavioral Therapy”? The irony is that I’m feeling better today on the emotional equilibrium front than I have in a while. Well, my sleep cycle is still royally fubarred. Maybe the nice doctor can prescribe me something for that.
And how’s this for a smooth segue? Psychology Today says to drink more tea. It’s good for the memory centers of the brain. Coolness. My tea habit has even more benefits.
Writing Stuff
I heard back from the editorial secretary of 9. It seems that the banks in Greece are on strike! Well, that explains why my check came back unpaid. But glah, that’s unsettling. Why haven’t I heard about this in the news? Oh yeah, overshadowed by the Michael Jackson media circus, because, of course, that’s more important than a national bank strike. Sheesh.
New Words: 150
A behavioral therapist? Excellent. I’d been meaning to talk to you about your behavior, young lady!
To which I have only one thing to say: “Tbthhhh!”
Hee hee hee hee hee!
i know this one!
behavioral therapy actually describes the approach to treatment, which is focused on how your behaviors (and those of the people around you) influence your mental state. you’ll find both classical and operant conditiong principles at work — associative links, different types of reinforcement… the office probably has 1-2 psychiatrists who work with a larger number of psychologists, social workers, and counselors. medications will come from the psychiatrist, but the therapy will be delivered by one of the others.
okay, i’m a dork. this is what i get for teaching intro psych for all these years 🙂
Re: i know this one!
Re: i know this one!
okay, now i feel like a moron. my apologies ::blush::
but, yay for mutual dorkiness! the world needs more dorks.
Well, I guess I’m a dork like because I’d have said pretty much the same thing. The timing though is somewhat ironic.
As you (probably don’t) know, Bob, I spent ten years as a psychology professor (cognitive psych, psycholinguistics, experimental psych, etc.). Then I hung that up and took some consulting work, and for the last three years I’ve been the Director of Research for a series of facilities here in Philadelphia that provides mental health and addictions treatment.
The irony I mentioned up top is that some other events in my life have convinced me to give a shot at being a therapist. Not surprisingly, my approach is cognitive behavioral. I’m scheduled to see my first client today, about 30 minutes from now.
Hmmm… maybe I should specialize in clients with writing disorders?
I’m very amused that my flist seems speckled with behavioral scientists. See above re: tongue-in-cheek grousings and fellow dorkiness.
I didn’t know you did psych. work. It suddenly makes me want to take a poll of how many writers have some background in mental health. Makes sense to me. My fascination with people and their vagaries fueled my academic interest and continues to be a basis for a lot of the fiction I write.
Yep, that’s what led me to psychology (though, for most of my work the focus had been on language). Moving into therapy is a very new thing, and one motivated by major changes in my own day to day personality. Years and years ago, when I was first starting college and exploring psychology, I realized I’d never be a clinician because I basically didn’t like most people. Times change.
Oh, and for the record, since we’re revealing our initials, I went all the way, Piled higher and Deeper, as they say.
Every now and then an editor messes up and includes it on my fiction byline.
I figured you were, as they tend to require the doctorate to professorize in psych (although ironically, not necessarily to be a counselor or therapist). I was ready to brain myself with a Nerf mace after my Master’s work so opted not to continue with my continuing education.
aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!
::runs around in crazy circles::
you’re a PSYCHOLINGUIST??? me, too!!! (actually, i have no degrees in psychology. linguistics degrees all…)
psycholinguistics: linguistics with a chainsaw!
Re: aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!
Yep. Psycholinguistics, big time. 🙂
So, given that as an academic background, and my work as a SF writer, is it any wonder that I’m the founder and director of the Klingon Language Institute?
Bwahahahaha!
Okay, funny (I think) anecdote (and I hope Eugie doesn’t mind my telling it here). A few months back I was sneding reprints to various foreign markets. Mostly the same story (it made the emailing faster that way). This particular tale was rather violent and gruesome (viscera were involved), which is NOT the sort of thing I usually write, but does seem to be more in line with what people are buying lately.
Anyway, one editor, wrote back to not only reject it, but to let me know that after researching me (!?!) she was surprised I had written such a thing, and based on my work in psycholinguistics she’d expected a more humanistic tale.
I immediately sent her a different reprint, a piece called “Whale Song” about finally decoding cetacean speech. She fired back a note even faster, accepting the story for her magazine. Soon now, soon, I hope to take over FInnish SF!
(cue the Bwahahaha again)
Just a minor in psychology, but I like to pretend I know a lot more than I do (typical writer, no?).
Hope the BP is helpful. What’s a writing disorder? Graphorrhea, clearly, but are there others? Anne Fitten (www.edgymama.com)
I was also speaking with tongue firmly in cheek, imagining such ailments as schizo-affective plot disorders. But speakin seriously, sure there are other writing disorders, agraphia for one.
Angelina Jolie is always known for a movie without having a particular point. She’s good with actions and have a pretty face & body to show but that’s about it. So guess, I’m a little hesitant to see THIS movie in a big theatre, unless of course someone treats me but yeah…I think I can wait till they release this on DVD and can rent it instead.