The Curious Mind

After Putin's attack on Ukraine parents are faced with the issue of explaining to their children what is going on. This is a short primer with background information and practical examples.  For more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30min

After we introduced in the first part Frankl and his classic book "Man’s Search For Meaning" we now focus on the therapeutic method he established. We discuss the main priciples of Logotherapy, its philosophy, application, and limits in the therapeutic practice. Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minFor more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

In this episode we introduce Frankl's classic title "Man’s Search For Meaning", the historical background, and the existential aspect in psychotherapy. While existential philosophy has been known since the mid 19th century through thinkers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky, the existential aspect has been introduced into psychotherapy only later - most prominently through Viktor Frankl. He was an Austrian Jewish psychoanalyst who had to endure for years the imprisonment in concentration camps, which strenghthened his focus on the meaning of life and its application in psychotherapy, which later came to be known as Logotherapy.For an outstanding description of the living conditions in Auschwitz see: Hermann Langbein "People in Auschwitz".And if you wonder about how prisoners in concentration camps dealt with their faith I can recommend the thesis of Flavia Giuffra: “Was God Behind the Barbed Wire? An Inquiry into Jewish Faith and Practice in Auschwitz”Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minFor more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

In this concluding session with "Hanni" we reflect on how to get away from the pain which comes from a lack of appreciation. Hanni wishes to be emotionally independent and yet finds herself feeling hurt, which in turn creates one of the mind-loops which keeps up the pain at the background of her mind. One pragmatic idea we discuss is to visit some sort of support group, which has the advantage of the company of well-meaning people in a safe space which makes it relatively easy to open up. On a more profound level I suggest Hanni to go to the point of pain (for example "maybe I'm not worthy of love") and to first of all acknowledge that this is what she feels - and thus to benefit from the strength and self-appreciation that comes with such an honest look at those voices within her that crave for recognition and yet she intuitively so much wishes to eradicate.For more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.comFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30min

As it became clear in the first session, Hanni struggles with feelings of self-criticism which work in the background of her mind and color her mood and experience negatively. Yet, these feelings are rarely in the foreground and it is thus not clear to her what the content of the self-criticism actually is. Hanni sometimes sees that in the background the mind is actually repeating uncomfortable situations on a loop, but it's difficult for her to catch and remember them. I encourage Hanni to bring those loop-memories to the foreground and and write them down in order to find out which set of convictions they are feeding. In this session we also see that Hanni sometimes disconnects: her mind is occasionally blocked in the first half, and she has difficulties to get out of it and articulate herself. Such issues of disconnect in-the-moment would be essential to investigate within a longer-term therapy, but preparing our mere three-session-arch we agreed not to work on such deeper issues and to focus on more pragmatic emotional, cognitive, and communicative aspects instead.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minFor more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

This is the first of three sessions with Hanni, an expat living in Western Europe. She's in her early 40s and currently single. She struggles with her past and a mental setup that leads to several issues, for example self-judgment, a sense of isolation, and persistant feelings of discomfort. In such a case we of course don't have the expectation to solve these issues in three sessions. But it might be interesting for the listeners to get a glimpse into a complex case and how to reflect it. In this first session we start to explore these topics and see which themes emerge as the most important ones. Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minFor more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

In this episode I have the pleasure of talking with psychologist and historian Dr. Ulrich Koch from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. We reflect on the concept of psychological trauma, how it has evolved in history, and the different ways it is understood today.  Here are some interesting publications about the concept of psychological trauma:  Ulrich Koch (2021). Between Social Criticism and Epistemological Critique: Critical Theory and the Normalization of Trauma. https://utorontopress.com/9781487508968/languages-of-trauma Ulrich Koch (2014). Schockeffekte. https://www.diaphanes.net/titel/schockeffekte-2486 Ruth Leys (2000). Trauma. A Genealogy.  Allen Young (1996). The Harmony of Illusions: Inventing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minhttps://www.gabriel-ellis.com/

It is relatively common in our society to find services of self-development addressed at women. But what are the possibilities for men to explore their identity and self-develop? In this conversation with therapist Joachim Wehnelt we address common issues in the development of men and reflect on his work with the online community for men "Brothers of Heart".  Find more about Joachim's work here: https://www.siebensinne.net/english/ Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minhttps://www.gabriel-ellis.comFind the video version of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/YKQPTDRsRPI

The defining aspect of being an expat is literally to be away from home (Latin "ex patria"). There are many expats who, like me, enjoy to live abroad. Others are abroad mainly for work or accompanying their partner.  It leaves however nobody unaffected and is for some people a real problem to be away from one's native culture, from old friends and family.  Over three weeks I was conducting therapy sessions on this range of topics with "Anna" who additionally faces a complex family dynamic which makes it difficult for her to reconnect with her family of origin. This is the last episode in our short series in which "Anna" gives us an insight into her development so far, how the therapy sessions helped her, and the tasks that lie ahead of her.  Find the previous parts and other episodes on the podcast channel and subscribe for the next parts.  More details on my therapy and research: https://www.gabriel-ellis.comFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30min

The therapeutic process is complex and often unique to each client. The goals are to reduce mental pain, increase quality of life, clarity, and deeper understanding of oneself. If you haven't had therapeutic support in your life you might wonder what actually happens in sessions and how "just talking" is supposed to bring about a positive change.As my sessions with "Anna" show, the talking is an important part, but not sufficient in itself. Her general motivation to change, her honesty, and a different kind of reflecting and acting are just as essential as the deep reflection that happens in the therapy sessions. Join us for the first part of the last session with "Anna", her insight into her family structure, and how she plans to re-introduce herself into her family of origin as a relevant voice that can enrich the lives of her family and herself.Find the previous parts and other episodes on the podcast channel and subscribe for the next parts.More details on my therapy and research: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30min