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Characters On The Couch

How a psychologist thinks about your favorite Film & TV characters.

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If Beale Street Could Talk - I Got You Kind Of Love

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
That “I Got You” Kind Of Love
The Best Remedy For Hate, Helplessness & Despair

March 14, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

The River’s family’s “I Got You” kind of love is If Beale Street Could Talk’s most potent reminder of exactly what transcends hate, helplessness, and despair. We see it when Tish’s dad holds her: “I got you, baby, I got you.” When Tish says to her newborn son: “I got you. I got you. I …

Read moreIF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
That “I Got You” Kind Of Love
The Best Remedy For Hate, Helplessness & Despair
can you ever forgive me? writer's block, finding your own voice, and a critic in your head

CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Writer’s Block?
It’s That Critic In Your Head

March 6, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Lee Israel has talent; she just doesn’t believe she does. We can see it in Marielle Heller’s Can You Ever Forgive Me. In a creative way she impersonates the letters of great writers, adding her own writerly wit; but, hiding behind their names. (In fact, the NY Times called her book: Can You Ever Forgive …

Read moreCAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Writer’s Block?
It’s That Critic In Your Head
Period. End of Sentence. Rise and Fly Out Of Shame.

PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE.
Oakwood School’s Pad Project
Rise & Fly Out Of Shame!

March 5, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

A sentence to shame is worse than having no sanitary pads month after month. Period. End Of Sentence. This film, 2019 Oscar Winner for Best Short Documentary, shows us clearly that you can’t do much as a girl in rural India if you’re bleeding. But, not only that. When old superstitions and taboos about menstruation …

Read morePERIOD. END OF SENTENCE.
Oakwood School’s Pad Project
Rise & Fly Out Of Shame!
A Star Is Born Infant Trauma Can Ruin A Life

A STAR IS BORN
Repeating Notes of  Infant Trauma
Can Ruin A Life If Not Heard

February 18, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Hanging himself wasn’t Jackson Maine’s fault. Nor was his drinking. Yes, his brother Bobby said to the heartbroken, Ally: “It was Jack; not you; not me; Jack and no one else.” But, that’s because he didn’t understand. And, really, Jackson had the right idea: “A song is only an octave. Twelve notes and it repeats. …

Read moreA STAR IS BORN
Repeating Notes of  Infant Trauma
Can Ruin A Life If Not Heard
Black Panther What Heartlessness Has To do with An Abandoned Kid's Need for Power

BLACK PANTHER
What Heartlessness Has to Do With
An Abandoned Kid’s
Need For Power?

February 18, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Heartlessness, and what causes it, is the theme in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther; as far as I can see. More importantly, Black Panther shows us how heartlessness can “create a monster,” in an abandoned child now-man, with his slow-burning hate; vengeful rage; and need for power. And, certainly, we witness what heartlessness has to do …

Read moreBLACK PANTHER
What Heartlessness Has to Do With
An Abandoned Kid’s
Need For Power?
bohemian rhapsody managing doubts about love? going solo is not the answer

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Managing Doubts About Love?
Going Solo Is Not The Answer

February 14, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Bohemian Rhapsody tells Freddie Mercury’s story. But, not just the story of his ascent, decline, and resurrection at the Live Aid concert in 1985. Bohemian Rhapsody is much more the story of someone (anyone) who distrusts love; and who believes “going solo” and not needing anyone is the answer. It’s not. And, Freddie Mercury in …

Read moreBOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Managing Doubts About Love?
Going Solo Is Not The Answer
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Inspiration

“We come to Film and TV to find our hidden stories. If we look deeply into a character’s psyche, there is much to see about ourselves.”

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