Dr. Zafirides The Sacred Space (episode 100)

[Peter Zafirides]

Hi everyone,

I am sorry I haven't been on the forum for a while. It's been so busy, even The Healthy Mind has suffered.

I am so happy to announce that I completed Episode #100 last night! Thanks to everyone for their support. I sincerely appreciate it. I only post episodes in this forum that I feel are relevant to the group. I think episode #100 fits the bill:

The Sacred Space
http://www.thehealthymind.com/2014/03/26/100-the-sacred-space/

By "The Sacred Space", I am referring to psychotherapy. I discuss how courage, strength and trust come together in the therapy setting to bring about healing - emotional and physical.

I dedicate this episode to my patients who, like you, inspire me with their amazing strength.

I hope you find the podcast informative and helpful.

Kindly,
Dr. Z

 

[Becca]

Congratulations on your 100th podcast!! What a wonderful accomplishment.

I dedicate this episode to my patients who, like you, inspire me with their amazing strength.

You mentioned in the episode that psychotherapy was just "two individuals partnered together to improve one's life." This approach, and this dedication you wrote in your post, both show something I find fundamental to the success of psychotherapy: respect. I have found that the best therapy is this sort of therapy: not a practitioner treating a patient, but a person helping another person. So much more is accomplished in these Sacred Spaces, as Dr. Z. so rightfully calls them, where we're all equals.

Dr. Z., your humility, respect, and overall goodness shines through in this podcast. Thank you for discussing this topic in such a monumental episode, and congratulations again!

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

Dr, Zafirides, thank you for the 100th edition of The Healthy Mind.
It is a wonderful validation of how people can help each other by listening and offering support and help.
As I reflected on what you call "The Sacred Space" I thought of a few friends, unfortunately a very few,
who are my best friends, and how we communicate on a really meaningful level. We share our concerns
and try to help each other through them.
It also made me realize how much the TMSWiki is a "Sacred Space" because everyone posts for advice
and encouragement on their pains or anxieties and others reply with genuine, sincere, caring, sharing
advice and experiences.

I also found it very therapeutic to be reminded by you that our main concerns-stresses are not unique to us
but are universal: anger, feelings of being alone, depression, anxiety, even suicidal thoughts. And another of
the main things is thinking about our mortality. We all just think too much on our stresses, anxieties.
We need to lighten up and bring more joy into our lives.

Thank you for the 99 previous sessions and especially this 100th. You're a good, caring man
and The Healthy Mind is one of the best Sacred Places on the Internet.