The presentations showed how clinicians can use these themes to deepen clients' self-awareness and help them confront avoided aspects of their lives. The discussion on death anxiety was interesting. It's not just a fear of mortality, but a way people structure their lives, values, and defenses.

It wasn't just an image anymore. It became a mirror for self-criticism and self-doubt that I didn't realize had been guiding my actions. It reminded me how much our critical other can reveal about what we're really struggling to accept within ourselves. @drwilliamsharp.bsky.social

Changing the perspective and reading my thoughts in first person caught me off guard and gave me shivers in a way. I thought, "wow, this is how I've been feeling lately." It made me realize the inner conflicts that I've been trying to avoid having conversations about. @drwilliamsharp.bsky.social

In Saul's case, avoidance can feel protective, but it comes with the cost of feeling isolated, regretful, and a sense of missing life. Therapy helped him see that protecting himself from rejection also meant that he rejected life itself in a way. @drwilliamsharp.bsky.social

What stood out to me was how Yalom didn't focus on whether Saul ever opened the letters, but on what they meant. Therapy here wasn't about "fixing" the external problem, but uncovering the weight of its symbolism. Overall, existential growth requires confrontation. @drwilliamsharp.bsky.social

It raises questions of: who's responsible if AI gives harmful advice? How do we protect client confidentiality in AI? It looks like there's fast technological advancements that may overlook ethical guidelines. I can't help but wonder what the future will look like. @drwilliamsharp.bsky.social

AI in therapy seems like a double-edged sword. On one hand it can expand access to care for people. However therapy is built on trust and empathy which are qualities that are hard to replicate in AI. It kind of makes me worry about the future use of AI in clinical psych. @drwilliamsharp.bsky.social