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Tuning out that critical inner voice
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When I was in the sixth grade I had a gravelly-voiced teacher -- I'll
call her "Mrs. Finbar" -- who gave an automatic "F" grade to
any student who wrote a composition containing even a single incomplete sentence. More than thirty years (and more than half
a dozen published books) later, I still don't think I ever manage to sit down at my computer without the sense that Mrs. Finbar is frowning over my shoulder, ready to pounce on any fragments
or run-on sentences.
In The Artist's Way Julia
Cameron calls the Mrs. Finbars of the world our "monsters," our "old enemies of...creative self-worth," the nagging voices from our past who keep us from
believing we can really be writers or painters or musicians or ingenious reinventors of our own lives.
"Creativity is the natural order of life," she counters, and offers a practical guide to resisting Mrs. Finbar.
Books like Cameron's
can help, but sometimes all the books and affirmations just don't help you still those nagging, critical voices.
You're stuck. Maybe you're wondering whether a therapist could help.
"I doubt it," people sometimes tell
me. "Therapy would ruin my creativity."
"It depends on the therapy," I reply.
A therapist who takes a collaborative,
experiential approach can help create a nurturing process that is as vibrant as improv theater, as spontaneous as dance. She
or he helps you feel deeply understood and alive. Suddenly you're not alone with your struggle. You
gain a felt sense that the creative part of you is valuable and strong. The images and ideas begin to flow.
Over the past fifteen years Jean
Fitzpatrick has helped many people in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties develop their creativity. If you have
comments or questions about this article, email her at jean@westchestertherapist.com. To make an appointment for a free consultation, call Jean Fitzpatrick at 914-941-6478
or email jean@westchestertherapist.com.
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N.Y. Licensed Psychoanalyst Member, American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Individuals
and Couples
midtown Manhattan and Westchester County 914.941.6478 212.802.7333
The Tree of Life image at the top left corner of your screen is an original
work by the Canadian artist Cari Buziak and is used with her permission..
Serving the online community as well as Westchester Putnam Dutchess and
Fairfield counties, including Ossining Briarcliff Manor Croton-on-Hudson Yorktown Heights Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Pleasantville
Pocantico Hills Chappaqua Millwood Mount Kisco Somers Katonah Mahopac Irvington Hastings-on-Hudson Yonkers Hawthorne Thornwood
Peekskill Bedford Hills Bedford and Valhalla. Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central, Park Avenue, Murray Hill, East Side,
Flatiron, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, East Village, Gramercy, theater district. Experienced, active help to build
a fulfilling life and relationships. Individual therapy, couples counseling, parent coaching, premarital
counseling, support through divorce and transitions.
Copyright ©
Jean Fitzpatrick. All rights reserved.
No editorial or graphic content on this site may be reproduced without written permission.
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