Finding You: by Dr. Brad Reedy

Dr. Reedy discusses how myths can teach us about ourselves. He explains Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and how the patterns in our stories and our myths provide a road map for living our authentic, human lives. He offers examples from movies and contemporary songwriters as well as classic mythology.

Dr. Reedy takes questions from the live audience on setting boundaries with a child who is abusive. He talks about tattoos, family systems-based approach to treatment, and how you can take responsibility for your own serenity.

Dr. Reedy explores what it means to “do your work.” He talks about the process of unlearning and liberating the self from the should and shouldn’t we unconsciously carry. He talks about what therapy looks like when the project is to become who we are.

Dr. Reedy takes live question from the audience on boundaries and parenting. He explains that there is no generic solution or advice when it comes to boundaries. Boundaries are synonymous with self-care and the discovery of the “right” boundary is essentially the discovery of the Self.

Dr. Reedy discusses how setting boundaries will feel like a betrayal. He talks about the differentiation scale and how if we move up the scale, those left behind may experience our increased awareness and individuation as abandonment.

Dr. Reedy takes live questions from the audience. In this episode he emphasizes the need for parents to model their imperfections and humanity to children. He explains how parents teach accountability by owning their mistakes and how when we share our struggles, from a place of strength and confidence, we show children how to grow up.

Dr. Reedy discusses the pros and cons of transporting. He talks about how to respond to children who report being traumatized by being transported to treatment. He talks about allowing children to define their own trauma and letting go of trying to control what they feel and think.

Dr. Reedy takes live questions from the audience and talks about how healthy changes often feels wrong and those around use will not recognize it as healthy. He also talks about how, when we feel lost and the path seems darkest, to keep going – but we don’t have to do it alone. Therapists can walk beside us and help us carry some of the guilt.

Dr. Reedy discusses the role and impact of the field guide in wilderness therapy. He talks about the value of the mentor role, and how this role can be more impactful on young clients than that of the therapist. He also explains how the field guide is supported and trained to become capable facilitators in the therapeutic process.

Dr. Reedy answers question live on various topics like “How to apply lessons from wilderness therapy to home” and “How to confront children or others when we see something in their behavior where they are struggling.” He explains how to avoid confronting defenses and letting our advice or suggestion fail when the other person is not ready to hear it.