Althought I have been a fairly mainstream psychiatrist in certain respects (see my bio), yet I'm by no means typical in a number of ways. I have been curious and learned about things that many of my more mainstream colleagues seem to have ignored, such as the role of spirituality in therapy, the role of play and creativity, of imaginativeness and skill-building, body work and an appreciation of many different approaches–what has come to be called eclecticism.

When I learned psychiatry, it was mostly about doing psychotherapy. For the last twenty years, the field has shifted increasingly towards knowing about the use of medications. (I think the new medicines are a great advance, but I am wary about prescribing them too quickly or using them instead of exploring the psychological and social factors involved in problems.--Some of my perspectives on medication will be discussed in some of the following pages.)

 The audience for this "Journal" includes not only my colleagues in the general field of psychotherapy – psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family counselors, pastoral counselors, and other therapists–but also non-therapists, educated laypersons who are interested in different viewpoints about this process of therapy and its related issues.

 For responses, email me at adam@blatner.com