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Characters On The Couch

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

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shame

The Power of the Dog Why Phil Burbank’s Cruelty is About What He Hates in Himself

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Why Phil Burbank’s Cruelty
Is About What He Hates in Himself

December 7, 2021 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Jane Campion’s chilling new film, The Power of the Dog, has much to say about that old adage: what we hate in others is what we can’t accept in ourselves. And, wow, does the character of Phil Burbank spell that axiom out in spades. Sure, he embodies everything there is about toxic masculinity. Yet, what …

Read moreTHE POWER OF THE DOG
Why Phil Burbank’s Cruelty
Is About What He Hates in Himself
Diane Guilt & Shame How Self-Sacrifice Can Ruin A Life

DIANE
Guilt & Shame
How Self-Sacrifice Ruins A Life

May 15, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Shame can ruin a life. A mistake can force a woman to live in self-sacrifice. For Diane, the reasons why are hidden in the loaded question: “How is Brian?” This question haunts her through the entirety of Kent Jones’ character-driven film, Diane. Not only is Brian Diane’s alcoholic and drug-addicted son, but underneath her attempts …

Read moreDIANE
Guilt & Shame
How Self-Sacrifice Ruins A Life
cold war zula's shame wiktor's desperation tragic love

COLD WAR
Zula’s Shame Versus
Wiktor’s Desperation
An Impossible Love

April 10, 2019 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

“I knocked, I cried, she wouldn’t open up.” That is Wiktor’s torment. These lyrics begin Pawel Pawlikowski’s film Cold War and foretell the fate of Wiktor and Zula’s love. A love that never had a chance. Theirs is a war originating in Zula’s history. A history that spawned deep shame and distrust of love. Just …

Read moreCOLD WAR
Zula’s Shame Versus
Wiktor’s Desperation
An Impossible Love
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!
Jessie Rosen & Therapy Shame Don't Let These 3 Reasons Stop You From Getting Help

‘THERAPY SHAME’
Don’t Let These 3 Reasons
Stop You From Getting Help

September 19, 2015 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

It’s hard to admit you need help. Everyone knows that therapy is out there, but as soon as you consider it, a voice in your head tells you all the shameful reasons NOT to go. Don’t let that voice stop you. Therapy Shame is real. But, listen to what Jessie Rosen says instead.  She’s been …

Read more‘THERAPY SHAME’
Don’t Let These 3 Reasons
Stop You From Getting Help
Date Rape Loretta Young and Clark Gable

DATE RAPE
What Loretta Young & Clark Gable
Remind Us Of Now

July 16, 2015 by Dr. Sandra E. Cohen

Date rape is a confusing thing. You know the guy. Went out with him. Even consented to kiss him. Maybe even more. But, when it came right down to it, you said “No “and he didn’t listen. Is it your fault for having gone that far? It’s not. No is No. There’s no reason to …

Read moreDATE RAPE
What Loretta Young & Clark Gable
Remind Us Of Now
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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.”

Recent Posts

Everything Everywhere All At Once Breaking Out of Someone Else's Box
Nomadland: A Lonely Nomad in the Land of Loss
The Power of the Dog Why Phil Burbank’s Cruelty is About What He Hates in Himself
SOUND OF METAL How Silence Stops A Man From Running

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