Evanston Therapist Steph Myers on What Happens in Therapy

For those of you curious about what happens in therapy, Steph Meyers writes a funny, smart and candid piece in Chicago Now on what really happens - and it's just like on TV! 

Full disclosure Meyers is a personal friend of mine (our children are in school together) and I've always known her to be smart and funny but I didn't know much about her career. In this piece you'll learn what it's like to attend therapy and decide if it's for you. I've asked Steph to be my therapist just so I could spend more time with her and work through my "mommy issues" but she doesn't see/help/work for friends - it's very possible I might become her enemy just to hire her!

I know this blog isn't an Angie's List but it's meant to highlight the best I see in Evanston and Steph Meyers is one of the best!

What do you do? by Steph Meyers

"I'm a therapist." That's the party-mannered answer to "what do you do?" Sometimes I get a bug-eyed response as they slink away. Sometimes I see the slight look of fear sweep across their face as they find someone else to chat up. Still others have asked "are you analyzing me right now?" Sometimes they are persistent that I must be analyzing people all of the time. I wasn’t and I don’t...until you said that, actually. Now I might be wondering if you are a narcissist. I'm kidding. Maybe. The truth is, I’m not working all of the time.

It is true that I do hear lots of stories, none of which I can tell you because what a client tells me is confidential. But I'm not being intriguing when I say that I can't really talk about client stuff. And I'm not trying to get you interested in the details, I promise. I am but a keeper of secrets--unless, of course, the secrets mean you are a danger to yourself or others. Those are not secrets I keep. Those are secrets that are shared with the right people who can help ensure safety. Nope, I won’t be able to tell you about the last time that happened, either (which isn’t very often).

Yes, you can tell me about your uncle/cousin/kid/aunt/neighbor/cat and the weird/funny/bizarre/mean thing that they did. I can't really tell you what is wrong with them based on the info shared since I've never met them and I don't catalog and diagnose what is wrong with people on the fly. There really isn't a "if screaming raging person, then this is what's wrong with them" scenario in the psychology world. That said, though, I really like stories about people. I'm naturally curious and want to understand as much as possible about human nature, what makes people do things, make the choices they do, form relationships, pursue interests, etc. So, I soak up these character exposés as they provide as much insight into the people telling the stories as whom they are about.

Read the full article on Chicago Now here.

Tail Waggin' Tutors at Evanston Public Library

Photo: Louis reading to Dina

When we got to the library last week a sweet little lady with an ugly Christmas sweater invited my son to come and read a book to a dog. I'm serious. She led us to a table full of entry-level reading books and said "pick one out and go read to Dina, she's right over there waiting. And don't worry, dogs don't care if you make mistakes when you read out loud." My son picked a book and read it to Dina the dog.

We learned that this is part of the training for therapy dogs and that some of them were being sent to visit victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut. It was extremely touching and cute to participate in the program for my son and I. We took photos, hugged the lady in the ugly sweater and gave Dina extra pets on the head.

Below is information about the program and if it's a slow night at the library, you

Tail Waggin' Tutors at Evanston Public Library

Tuesdays, Children's Services, Main Library
Session 1: 1/22 - 2/12, 6:30-7:00pm or 7:00-7:30pm
Session 2: 2/26 - 3/19, 6:30-7:00pm or 7:00-7:30pm

Practice your reading - read to a dog! The Tail Waggin’ Tutors program provides a relaxed and "dog-friendly" atmosphere in which kids can practice and improve their reading skills. Tail Waggin' Tutors are wonderful listeners and provide a great opportunity for kids to build confidence reading as well as learn how to interact with these wonderful therapy dogs. Kids read to their dogs for 20 minutes and then have 10 minutes of cuddle time.

Sign up for one 4-week session from 6:30-7:00pm or 7:00-7:30pm; space is limited to 6 participants per 30 minute period. For kids in grades K-5. Please note: We request that families with multiple children share a dog and a slot. Registration is required and begins on January 2. To register, please call 847-448-8610.

Participation limited to Evanston residents/children in District 65 schools.

Click here to read more info

Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog devoted to covering my family's move from El Paso, TX, to Evanston, IL, in 2011. We arrived in June 2011 and several people have pointed out that I am no longer a "newbie" and should start some other blog. But I disagree and want to keep the "newbie" status for a while longer, maybe five years and for several reasons. #1 - there are many Evanston families who have lived here for generations since the town incorporated in the late 1800s, so in comparison to them, I am very much a "newbie". #2 - I firmly believe this blog is a good branding tool for the city of Evanston and it's the least I can do to thank our new town for being so AWESOME! If you have any questions or need to get in touch with my about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Thank you for reading and have an awesome 2013.