Thinking Out of the Box
by Dr. Kixx Goldman

“The World Is a Safer Place.” Those are the words of Catherine Oxenberg, a woman whom I admire greatly, spoken after the sentencing of Nxivm Cult leader, Keith Raniere.  (Christine Pelisek Published on October 27, 2020 08:51PM EDT)

Catherine Oxenberg is the former Dynasty star, who fought to free her daughter from the Nexium cult. She is known for her tenacity. In 2020, she was confronted with a period of severe physical pain. Finally, with the help of a doctor, she was able to make the connection between all of her past traumatic experiences and the sudden onset of pain and depression, and following that, made a wise treatment choice. (By David Walters Published on June 20, 2023 03:38PM EDT)

What came to mind when I first learned about Catherine Oxenberg and her courage and triumph over travails, was the notion of “thinking out of the box.”

I believe the ability to think out of the box gives us a certain degree of flexibility and can lead to problem solving and innovative, creative solutions.

Two women are striking models. They thought out of the box. The first is the courageous bush nurse Sister Elizabeth Kenny,whose life spanned the 19th and 20th centuries.

The other is therapist Rachel Stern, the main character in my story, “Monitored.”

Sister Kenny developed a new and controversial approach for treating victims of Polio, previously known as Infantile Paralysis. She lived in Australia during the time of the Polio epidemics and later moved to Minnesota and opened a clinic where her revolutionary methods were applied. Kenny’s story inspired me to share my story of therapist Rachel. One could say the two women were of a like-minded persuasion. (Some would say Sister Kenny’s story has some parallels with the recent pandemic.)

As a young woman, I heard nurse Kenny’s name many times and became curious. A couple of years ago, I noticed a 1946 movie on TCM: Sister Kenny. I was riveted as I watched and thus began my fascination. (“Sister” is a title of courtesy which applies to a more highly qualified nurse.)

I wrote about Rachel Stern and her client, Erik, in my story “Monitored.” It is based upon real events in my life, which have been fictionalized. Rachel’s therapeutic model is similar to mine. We’ve both helped clients heal using experiential and emotionally focused therapies.

Elizabeth Kenny and Rachel Stern were of a like-minded persuasion. Some would say Sister Kenny’s story has some parallels with the recent pandemic.

Both women bucked the tide of their times, stood up to the establishment and thought out of the box. Their outlooks and therapeutic approaches were innovative and vital to their worlds.

Rachel Stern

Just like Sister Kenny, Rachel was a compassionate champion for her clients. She supports and bonds with them. She wants them to develop self-esteem and confidence.

Client Erik, comes into Rachel’s office in a state of fear and anxiety, feeling he’s being “monitored” – spied on– at work.Rachel soon learns that in his childhood, Erik was traumatized –as many of us were.

And he’s also having relationship problems.

When Rachel presents Erik’s case to her clinic team, she is told he needs to be diagnosed as “paranoid schizophrenic,” medicated and possibly hospitalized. Rachel doesn’t agree. She believes Erik’s thoughts of being spied upon are protective for him.   They allow him to avoid confronting his painful feelings.

Rachel dislikes diagnostic labels like paranoid. They are negative and tend to become written in stone. Meds and hospital are only a very last resort for someone like Erik. She stands up to the team and goes ahead with her own therapy plan. She supports and works with Erik in individual sessions to help him become aware of his underlying feelings, address his relationship problems and develop confidence.

Of his fears of being spied on, Rachel says, “As his reports of being watched and coincidences receded, Erik continued to face what was really troubling him. I was elated at his insight. My prayers for Erik to be spared the system’s psychiatric assault were answered…

I never asked him about the other stuff, the missing files…Nor did he ever mention them again. I knew Erik was like a fledgling, ready to fly from its nest out into the world.”

Speak From Your Heart and Be Heard: Stories of Courage and Healing is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle and some independent bookstores.

Warm thoughts,
Dr Kixx