|
What differentiates me from most psychotherapists is that I don’t see “neurotic”
behavior as pathological. Instead, I
view “neurosis” as the whole organism’s natural response to developmental
stress on the path to maturation.
I use innovative methods drawn from… humanistic, transpersonal and eastern
traditions. I’m particularly helpful
with couples, existential and midlife crisis, and resistance to change.
…one of the most negative influences is the "sick" label itself,
which tightens and distorts, keeping people from a natural unfolding and realignment. I find that big-picture understanding,
active listening and fundamental positive regard work better.
I define "spiritual" as simply the upper end of normal human
development.
…"healing" takes place only when we… rest at the ground of our
being, the better to naturally unfold according to our perfect, internal
template for development.
|
|
Home Bio Clinical Philosophy
Papers and Talks
Email
|
|
|
|
Welcome to my
Website.
I am a psychotherapist and counselor with a private practice in New York City
and Sag Harbor, New York. I take a
psychospiritual approach to personal development, healing and change. In my practice, I employ innovative methods
drawn from Psychosynthesis, Imago Relationship Therapy, yoga psychology and
other humanistic, transpersonal and eastern traditions. I’m particularly helpful with couples,
existential and midlife crisis, and resistance to change.
What differentiates me from most psychotherapists is that, over time, I have
come to see that behavior labeled “neurotic” is not pathological at all. Instead, I view “neurosis” as the whole
organism’s natural response to developmental stress on the path to
maturation. In my view, “neurosis” is
better seen as developmental challenge, the surmounting of which brings
maturity – wisdom – rather than as pathology.
Neurochemical, often genetic mental illness, such as schizophrenia,
must be treated by psychiatrists (doctors who can prescribe medical, nowadays
usually pharmacological, treatment). I
try to return psychology to the study of the unfolding psyche in all it’s
beauty and complexity rather than pursue the medical model.
Another way to say this is that I am rapidly moving away from the words
“patient” and "healing." We label people "neurotic," when
in reality, it's not a medical illness they are suffering from, but spiritual
immaturity. Psychology is the science
of spiritual maturity.
Here, I’m defining "spiritual" as simply the upper end of normal
human development. I don't make much
of a distinction between body and mind, or mind and spirit, but look at them
as all part of the whole organism. An
example comes from when my seven year old was learning to walk. As with all kids, while learning, he would
fall on his bottom a lot – but I didn't label it pathological, just normal
developmental stages he was navigating.
The fact that he was falling was actually good, as it was his effort
honing in on mastery. It was: fall,
fall, fall… walk! He didn't need healing by a helping professional, just his
natural resources, a safe environment, and me getting out of the way.
Another example is that of a rose bud: We could say that it would be nicer if
it were open and begin to peel back the petals, but of course that wouldn't
work. Rather, Sun, rain, soil and
protection from trauma are all that are required – other than that, let it
unfold. In my practice, I want to be
less like a farmer, who plants in a row and harvests systematically, and more
like a forest ranger, who keeps a look-out for forest fires and otherwise
simply embraces the forest sprawl.
So I don't believe that the term “neurosis” is in any way accurate or
helpful. I believe one of the most
negative influences is the "sick" label itself, which tightens and
distorts, keeping people from a natural unfolding and realignment. I find that big-picture understanding,
active listening and fundamental positive regard work better.
From my perspective, "healing" takes place only when we get
underneath our modern imago, to rest at the ground of our being, all the
better to naturally unfold according to our perfect, inner template for
development. That process both
requires – and facilitates – the emergence of self acceptance and will.
I look forward to working and developing with you.
— Neal M. Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Neal M.
Goldsmith, Ph.D.
210 Ferry Road
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0098
156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 534
New York, NY 10011
347-743-1110
neal@inch.com
|
|
