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What's in a name?

During the 1940's and 1950's Freud and his theories were all the rage. At the same time, witchdoctors ("headshrinkers") were portrayed in Hollywood movies (e.g. think Tarzan, African Queen, etc.) as cannilbal enablers, so to speak!

Shrinking human heads was apparently a favourite pastime of theirs, at least in the movies. So it isn't surprising that Hollywood associated the witchdoctor image with psychoanalysis. In actuality it was a way of dealing with the primal fear and prejudice most people have regarding mental illness.

The term 'shrink' was initially coined to describe psychoanalysts, who at the time were mostly psychiatrists. It's still has a derogatory connotation in our culture, and its application has expanded to include all psychotherapists, as the public is unaware of the range of practitioners within the mental health profession.

Through education and especially through a sense of humor, we hope MyShrink can help to change this misguided attitude. And what better way to do this than to smile at the name-calling and proudly embrace "shrink" as our own, and with our tongues stuck firmly in cheek!

The MyShrink Theme

The following articles give the user a quick idea of what the site is all about:

MyShrink on Counseling

We All Have Our Stuff - these are the assumptions on which the site is based.

The MyShrink Manifesto - these are the principles and values we hold on doing this website.

The Psych Cafe - my scribbled note describes the reasons people may be drawn to join the forum.

Social Presence Online - our little gang of kids are here to remind users to play. They are intended to evoke memories of connection.

Editorial Policy

It is our opinion that the counseling profession is in the midst of a paradigm shift based on the results of thousands of experiments using new technologies. Although the facts about the brain and how it works are getting clearer, the interpretations and implications of those facts (i.e. the theory) have not been definitively verified.

Therefore, please note that many ideas and suggestions on this site are derivations, interpolations or conjecture based on recent and the best I could find child development and neuroscience research. They have not necessarily been rigorously tested. They are a best-guess hypothesis based on what researchers have discovered to date.

Related Topics

New Way of Looking at...

My Personal Musings

How does MyShrink support itself?

In the future, it is intended that MyShrink generate income from advertising revenue, ebooks, and selling relevant products through affiliates.

Presently however... more on how MyShrink supports itself.

Three groups of people whom MyShrink is designed to help:

1. The first are those who are experienced counseling clients; they may or may not be in therapy now but what they have in common is the sense that it offers a way to change something about themselves. This site will show them how to make the most of their counseling.

2. The second are those considering counseling to address specific symptoms like anxiety or depression. The site will show them the nature of counseling and what to look for in a potential therapist. It will also open them up to expect more from their counseling, more than they thought possible.

3. In the third group are those who already function at an acceptable level, who are more or less healthy and successful, but who want more quality and depth in their lives. They may seek more fulfillment in their work or better personal relationships, perhaps increased vitality or peace of mind, but they have never considered counseling as an effective way to promote and solidify personal growth. For them, this site will be a revelation.

MyShrink Permission

When citing documents from this site, please consider using this format derived from the APA 5th Edition Publication Manual. Replace appropriate author’s name and title from the article chosen.

Example shown.

LaCombe, S. K. [enter date of article, i.e. year, month]. How to Choose a Therapist. Retrieved from [enter date retrieved] MyShrink.com web site: http://www.myshrink.com.

Guidelines for Use of MyShrink Brand Features

For the purposes of the following, MyShrink and MyTherapyWorks are collectively known as the MyShrink Brand Features.

We spent many hours coming up with our logos and so we're very particular about the way our logos are used and presented. If you wish to use any of our Brand Features you must obtain explicit written permission before using. These Brand Features can only be used pursuant to these Guidelines and for the specific purposes for which we have given permission.

Things you cannot do:

• Remove, distort or alter any element of a MyShrink Brand Feature.
• Display MyShrink Brand Features in a way that implies a relationship, affiliation with or sponsorship or endorsement by MyShrink unless of course you have arranged this with us.
• Display a MyShrink Brand Feature on a web site that contains or displays adult content, promotes gambling, involves the sale of tobacco or alcohol or otherwise violates applicable law.
• Display a MyShrink Brand Feature in a way that is in our sole opinion misleading, defamatory, copyright infringing, libellous, personally disparaging, obscene or otherwise objectionable to MyShrink.com.
• Display a MyShrink Brand Feature on a site that violates any law or regulation.