Comments for Harriet M. Welch

Comment on An Epiphany? by Evan

Evan — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:46:03 +0000

Maybe you are not at all Harriet. A relationship takes two – if the other doesn’t respond with emotion then it will be impossible to have an emotional relationship with them. And I think emotional connection is very important to you.

Also I want to know if he gets in touch again! (Yes, I’m being nosey.)

Comment on Sand Table by Evan

Evan — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:36:10 +0000

Yes, it makes perfect sense.

If I was in her place I’d have probably asked you things like: What does it feel like to live there?

Comment on Sand Table by Harriet

Harriet — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:58:28 +0000

Evan – it makes sense in certain contexts. But say I put an empty house on a sand table because to me it represents emptiness, loneliness, a shell of a former life, and she says she has a different interpretation of it – it is a doorway to a different life. That’s all well and good, but I chose it because of what it represents to me. Sure, I could see it as a doorway, but I don’t find that helpful because I don’t see it as a doorway. Does that make sense?

Comment on Sand Table by Evan

Evan — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:39:52 +0000

Hi Harriet, the presumption I think is that your interpretations are part of ‘what got you here’ – to the situation you are experiencing as unsatisfactory (usually why people go to therapy). So offering other interpretations is meant to open up the possibility of other ways of doing things for you. My guess is that this is the good she hopes her interpretation will do for you.

Does that make sense?

Comment on Sand Table by Harriet

Harriet — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:49:44 +0000

Evan – thanks. I’m not sure I’ll love it, but it is what I have to do to become independent. I don’t feel as though art t is arguing with me, does it seem that way? I think she just gives her viewpoint. However, when she is doing that I think in my head, “So what?” What good does her viewpoint do me? That is why I am not sure how this works.

My mother is quite the jewish mother, and she is jewish.

Comment on Sand Table by Evan

Evan — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:44:30 +0000

Hope you love living in the new place.

Lots of stuff in those sand trays. Does art t get trapped into arguing you about interpretation?

Hope you have some good support while going through this transition.

Sounds like your mother is quite a jewish mother (whether she is jewish or not).

Comment on Sand Table by Harriet

Harriet — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:08:06 +0000

Ellen – It is scaring the shit out of me to move into my own place, actually it isn’t my own place, it is a bedroom in a friend’s house. I’ve been with my husband for half of my life. Like you, I’ve been waffling, but now that the kids are older, and with the mess my husband made of our finances, I think it is time to go.

I don’t know anyone else who has ever done sand play either, if you can find someone who does it I think you should try. I felt extremely emotional while doing it, but I kept it all in. I made some jokes because at any moment I felt like I was going to burst into huge sobs. That might have been a good thing to do, but I don’t think I am ready for that level of vulnerability in therapy.

Comment on Sand Table by Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:49:37 +0000

I think it’s amazing that you’re moving into your own place! Good for you. It gives me hope that change is possible. I know divorce is horribly painful – mine was anyway. Mine was really the best thing for me though, and it took me years of waffling to actually do it.

The sandplay is interesting, thanks for describing it. I don’t know anyone else who has ever done it. I thought your description of the characters was humorous. I want to do sandplay also! Did you feel at all emotional while doing it? take care now

Comment on An Email to Dr. Riggenbach by 512) Drama welcome here | Coming Out of the Trees (excerpts from my therapy journal)

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 01:36:40 +0000

[...] this week and found a link to a very interesting post on Harriet Welch’s blog. In her post, An Email to Dr. Riggenbach, Harriet expresses her great concern about the arrogant attitude demonstrated by mental health [...]

Comment on Do You Cry When People Are Nice To You? by Adriana

Adriana — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:41:43 +0000

Thanks for your advice Evan. I found this page and I identify very much with Harriet and I am glad I am not alone or am the only one to have these feelings. I have been going to therapy for over a year now, and I am just frustrated that I can’t completely get beyond this. Thank you for caring.