This interview is one in a series of expert interviews on the eDrugstore.com blog. We add new interviews on a regular basis. Please see our complete list of insightful interviews.
1. If there is one piece to the puzzle missing most often in your clients’ lives, what does it tend to be? How might someone “fix” that missing link?
Unfortunately, no there is generally not one missing piece, however enticing that idea might be. More often, the puzzle of having a satisfying life has many pieces to it, some more or less significant than others. It is generally the case that people do tend to seek treatment at a particular time, for a particular reason. Sometimes there’s been that “straw which broke the camel’s back.” However, when examined from a variety of different angles, we can usually see contributing factors that have been in development for a while, shaping the person’s experience of life events.
No two people experience things the same, we’re all different and unique. Looking at our lives, or our questions taking three specific factors into consideration can be useful. Medically speaking, what’s going on from a health and biology perspective? How are the person’s relationships functioning? Psychologically (emotionally) what is the person experiencing? The answers to these questions shed a lot of light and facilitate goal setting and treatment planning.
2. If you gave a two-minute “elevator pitch” counseling session to someone who needed encouragement during a hard time in life, what would you say?
There is hope! Sometimes you have to work to find it, but it’s out there. Take an honest look at yourself and find someone you can trust to help you. There are people around you who can relate to what you’re experiencing and who will be willing and able to help you. Sometimes the process of getting better has periods within it of feeling worse. This will pass and growth, knowledge and personal change emerge. “Normal people” face challenges and have struggles in life – and that includes you! Try not to fear it and go into it with as open a mind as you can manage. You will learn things about yourself and the world around you and you will have a better life.
3. How can a person’s mental state affect the rest of their lives (i.e., their health, sex life, work ethic)?
How we think and feel about ourselves impacts everything we do or say. Difficulties such as low self esteem, body image, motivation and lethargy clearly impact all facets of our lives including health, sexuality, work and relational functioning. For example, I regularly see people in my office who are struggling with no sex drive, or lack of libido. Often a clear history will reveal a job loss, financial or marital stresses, illness or co-existing depression or anxiety. We wonder why this person might not be feeling sexy! I cannot say it strongly enough, how we think and feel about ourselves impacts everything we do or say!
4. Is it possible for couples to work on themselves as individuals simultaneously with working on their relationship as a couple, or should they focus on one aspect at a time?
Yes, it is absolutely possible for couples to work on themselves as individuals while working on their relationship. In fact it is sometimes necessary for real progress to occur. However, most times it makes sense for this work to be done with different therapists. Having clear boundaries and maintaining appropriate confidentiality is priority. I sometimes get requests to fill both roles, but generally speaking, I refer.
5. Is a person who has suffered a great trauma or has experienced bouts of depression ever really “cured”?
How might they go about maintaining a healthy, positive state of mind? This is an interesting question. The dictionary says that to cure or be cured is to be “restored to health.” “Health,” is a relative term. With good and sufficient treatment, most people get better. Getting adequate treatment is key. Sometimes the treatment can be short, sometimes it’s not. Measuring progress is important and it’s not always based on how a person’s feeling in the moment. A person who’s experienced a significant trauma early in life and receives sound treatment can benefit and be symptom free for years and still later encounter difficulty that requires additional treatment. “Maintaining a healthy positive state of mind,” may mean remaining open to periodic check-ups. Clearly it doesn’t mean a person’s failed or is unhealthy by continuing to pay attention to his or her needs for assistance.
About Dr. Dana Tautfest: www.therapists.psychologytoday.com/Dana.Tautfest
A licensed psychologist in Troy, Michigan, Dr. Tautfest works with adults in individual and couples psychotherapy. She earned her doctorate at George Washington University in Washington DC and completed her predoc internship at the University of Michigan. In addition to three years of post-graduate training focused on intensive individual and group psychotherapy, Dr. Tautfest has completed an additional certification as an AASECT sex therapist. Her practice comprises both traditional psychotherapy as well as sex therapy. She sees treatment as a venue for assisting people in the development of more productive, fulfilling and satisfying lives.
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