Therapy Case Studies and Articles by Vivian Hankin, PhD.

SF Chronicle Interview Regarding the Housing Market and Therapy

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed for a San Francisco Chronicle article entitled Therapists See Surge In Patients Stressing Over Their Home Values. Local people are experiencing extreme foreclosure rates and a drop in housing values. Local therapists are seeing the effect the housing market is having on their clients. Lack of sleep, relationship problems, overwork, and loss of self-esteem are some of the issues Bay Area people may be facing as a result of financial stress.

"Becoming Your Authentic Self" | Download as PDF

You may express the negative beliefs you learned about yourself while growing up as "just who I am." They are not who you are. You will learn the origins of such beliefs and see that they do not belong to you. With therapy, you will learn to transform them into the positive qualities that represents who you truly are.

"Blame and Forgive -- or Trust the Truth?" | Download as PDF

In this story a woman was criticized throughout her childhood. (This applies to any negative belief you may bring to therapy.) As an adult, she took offense easily and heard criticism even when it was not given. Once she learned to distinguish between those who were not critical from those who were, she could handle either situation in a realistic way. She found herself in much happier relationships. She also was able to let go of negative beliefs and see herself as the positive person she was.

"Breathe" | Download as PDF

Relaxation exercises, guided imagery, and working with body energy help most people relax. By using these methods, we can also progress towards healing with such things as body or emotional pain and finding your own inner answers to important questions that help you towards your goals. This exercise shows you how to relax using your breath and how to use your breath towards healing.

"A Berkeley, CA Couples Therapist Reveals: Three Main Reasons Couples Seek Counseling" | Download as PDF

"Couples" can mean an intimate relationship, parent/child; colleagues or friends. The type of exploration would be similar. This story is about an intimate couple. I have selected only three problems to present, but there are, of course, many that may arise. The story will give you a sense of some ways we will work with whatever problems you bring to our therapy. Solutions can be found.

"First it's going to get worse" | Download as PDF

If you have had a traumatic background and keep your memories buried because such experiences were too hard for you as a child to handle. The same fears are carried forward by you as an adult. Initially you were afraid of speaking of such problems or, perhaps, showing your emotions in therapy for fear the emotions will be too big to handle. In therapy you will learn to look at them rationally and also learn the adult is no longer the helpless child. You will find how to deal with feelings and feel stronger. This article is applicable to clients with any problems from childhood that are impacting on your current life.

"Food as a Metaphor for Love" | Download as PDF

Any compulsive or addictive behavior can be substituted for "food" in this story. This story shows how Amy’s compulsive behavior repeats the negative experiences and beliefs she carried from her childhood. She finally believed that she had been loveable and deserving as a child and still was as an adult. As a result, she was able to let go of her compulsive behavior and find people to love who loved her back. She also felt satisfaction in her accomplishments.

"Hidden Shame of Therapy" | Download as PDF

Many people do not understand what therapy is. Old false beliefs emerge, such as, "If you go to therapy, it must mean there’s something really wrong with you." Some people feel shame about seeking therapy. Hopefully they discover it is a place of safety and caring where you can experience expressing yourself about any problems you may have and finding ways to solve them.

"My Growth as a Therapist: Deepening Understanding"

I describe that I am non-judgmental and supportive both in individual work and with couples. With couples I am impartial. I describe the ways I will work with you in order to help you solve your problems, make the changes you wish in order to enhance your reaching your goals toward your becoming your Authentic Self and also have the type of relationships and accomplishments you would like.

"Make a Successful Resolution: Get a Therapist to Help You" | Download as PDF

This article speaks of Eating Disorders as an example, but can be applied to any problem you may have. This is an encouragement for you to pick up the phone and call a therapist to help you resolve your problems. Make this a "New Years" resolution or just "Today’s Resolution." You couldn’t give yourself a better gift any time of the year.

"Criticism - Understanding - Not Blame" | Download as PDF

Sarah found herself being drawn to people who, she then found, criticized her. Her grandmother, who had lived with her as a child, had been critical of Sarah. Sarah then believed there was something wrong with her. In therapy she learned it was all right to "blame" for the past if she wanted to, and she could now forgive. As an adult, Sarah thought everyone was criticizing her, even if they were not. She learned to make a distinction between those who were and those who were not and to respond appropriately. She could now also feel good about herself as the positive person she truly was.