Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories 10 Questions to Deepen Psychotherapy-- Inviting the Here and Now
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Dec 12, 2025 Discover how therapy can break free from the confines of past narratives. Dr. H presents ten probing questions that invite patients to engage with their current feelings and interactions. Topics include the challenges of building trust, exploring fears about the therapeutic relationship, and addressing unresolved issues. The discussion highlights the importance of acknowledging emotions like regret and judgment in real-time. Dive into the dynamics of transference and learn how these questions can transform therapy into a more immediate experience.
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There And Then Versus Here And Now
- Most therapy sessions stay stuck in 'there and then' storytelling rather than working in the present relational moment.
- 'Here and now' work exposes transference and countertransference that are essential for healing deep interpersonal wounds.
Therapy As A Relationship Lab
- A holding, nonjudgmental stance helps many patients but fails those with deep relational trauma who need corrective relational experiences.
- Therapy must function as a relationship lab to let patients experiment with new ways of relating and process therapist feedback.
Why Therapists Avoid The Here And Now
- Therapists often avoid the here and now because they learned to be peacemakers and people-pleasers in family systems.
- Avoidance and fear of uncomfortable consequences make therapists less likely to give brave, corrective feedback.