Angry Mama Bird

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We’ve had a few generations of starlings nesting in the eaves above the door into my therapy room for a few years now. Like crows, they are a much maligned bird, but I love them. Almost as much as I love crows. I adore them actually – their stunning, iridescent colours, their vocal range, their flying skills, their intelligence. And even though it’s nothing to do with us or our house, I’m always chuffed that they come back to start their family anew. That it’s safe for them to do so here. Despite the regular unintended interruptions as the door opens and closes often, every day, as I welcome clients in, and as they leave. The disruption must be significant as their little nest is shaken and disturbed, each time. Several daily earthquakes.

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The Second Violation: Choosing Between Healing and Privacy

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It’s hard to avoid all the stories about therapy notes in the media at the moment. I’m glad of it really, glad that we’re talking about it. Every seasoned therapist has, I imagine, experienced the gut wrenching realisation that we haven’t been told about a sexual assault or rape because our client, current, prospective, maybe past, has a well-grounded concern about how her (usually) notes could be used in court.

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Walking away

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We are blessed with a small but fabulous choice of pubs and eateries near where I live. It’s a tourist haven for six months of the year, attracting people from all around the world. It’s a seriously gorgeous place.

It also draws people home from all around the world, to reunite with loved ones, have the craic, maybe an oul “dalliance” or two… maybe a bump of coke…

Or maybe to throw their weight and sweaty hands around in search of female attention.

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Therapist Red flags

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I recently read a non-fiction book about a colleague that was deeply chilling – though not, truth be told, terribly surprising. Of course, not every therapist is abusive, coercive, or amoral like the individual described in that book. And, on paper, this colleague looks perfectly fine. (Plus, oddly, I owe my return to writing to them.)

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Writing, Photography & Challenges

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I’ve been doing other things lately – staying away from writing, and from posting on social media as much as I used to. A couple of people have expressed curiosity about that – and here’s what I tell them:

There are a few reasons. I’ve been pondering each of them this morning, coffee in hand, wondering how best to fill the unexpected gap created by two cancellations – courtesy of this year’s remarkably efficient flu virus.

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Nauseated

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I was, still am a little, in two minds about posting this. But here it is. Over a week old. Because technology and I have a difficult relationship at present.. (as in, I hate it… and I think it hates me…) Maybe it’s best I had time to calm down. I’ve edited out some expletives…but

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