Self-awareness leads to better clinical work - Dr. Lynn Friedman - Johns Hopkins - Developing a Private Practice course

Increasing self-awareness: Obtaining psychotherapy, consultation and supervision

Increased self-awareness can lead to increased clinical skill. For example, knowing how you feel is often a prerequisite to tuning into how others feel, that, in turn, leads to the development of empathy. So how does one go about increasing ones self-awareness? There are many paths to heightening ones self-awareness. In my opinion, the hallmarks of a caring and effective psychotherapist are: (1) voraciously reading the professional literature with an eye towards understanding the patients who we see; (2) (a) obtaining supervision from a clinician who is oriented toward helping you to deepen your understanding of your countertransference reactions and (b) actively consulting with colleagues, in a confidential setting, about one's clinical work (3) seeking one's own psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. The latter can, in fact, alter your life trajectory.

Obviously, there is much more to be said about each of these. And, in fact, volumes have been written. We'll be talking more about each of these things, in class and in the blog. But, for now, in thinking about reading, I'd love to hear from you as to books that you have found particularly helpful. In my next post, I'll talk about a few that I found particularly helpful. Best to all, Sincerely,

Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.

P.S. The waiting list to take this class has grown. Therefore, Johns Hopkins has added a second session to be taught the last weekend in April. Already practicing professionals and graduate students from elsewhere may enroll as special students. The course will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Information about registration may be obtained through the university.

P.P.S. A list of all blog posts can be found at: Dr. Lynn Friedman's, developing a private psychotherapy practice

(c) January 3, 2010 - Lynn Friedman, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

Confidentiality Policy: Please note for reasons of confidentiality and copyright all letters to the blogger will be summarized and edited. Also, I will not write about real patients. Instead, I will create fictionalized vignettes. When you pose a clinical question, please ask it in a general way. DO NOT write about real patients. Thank you.
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Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.
Psychologist, psychoanalyst, work-life consultant
Faculty Associate, Johns Hopkins University
5480 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301.656.9650
www.drlynnfriedman.com
www.corporationsonthecouch.com
www.drlynnfriedman.typepad.com
www.twitter.com/drlynnfriedman
For those seeking, evaluation for psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, supervision or consultation, I welcome your call.
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Comments

[Developing self awareness]

Creating self awareness helps to understand what others feel.When you are aware of various situations and hoe to react at them,you will possibly also understand others feelings too.