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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Annierose on November 15, 2010, at 20:52:29
I watched all 4 episodes tonight for the week (I know, I need a life on Mondays). When those that watch see "Adele" we need to talk ... oh my!! So much material there. At one point I screamed "Ick!" ... you'll know when. This was easily a month of sessions jammed into one juicy one.
And Jesse ... he was human this week. We got to see a more gentle side abeit still rough around the edges. When I think my kids have problems ... I see this and think, boy I'm lucky!
I'm losing interest in Frances ... she needs to get over herself.
Posted by Dinah on November 16, 2010, at 8:10:22
In reply to Week 4 'In Treatment', posted by Annierose on November 15, 2010, at 20:52:29
I've just caught up on Week 3, so I'll look forward to it. Particularly if Jesse has toned down a bit. I was happily listening to this week with my son in the next room, and had to leap up and grab the earphones during Jesse's session.
Thus far I'm not particularly liking Adele. She seems very confrontational and a bit withholding. I wouldn't last more than one session with her. Maybe I'll change my mind this week.
Posted by annierose on November 16, 2010, at 12:26:01
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment', posted by Dinah on November 16, 2010, at 8:10:22
No ... I don't think this week will change your mind. I like Adele (a lot) but I agree, she is a bit cool and detached (that's a quote from Paul). My t isn't quite as cool and detached but a bit ... if only her office was as nice. I think it works for me because I don't trust people who are overly friendly and kind (isn't that a bad quality I acquired).
I see what you mean that she is confrontational and I agree. She does call Paul on his stuff more quickly and more agressively than a "real" therapist would probably do in real life.
How do you find her withholding? She doesn't talk about herself - but most t's don't. I see her as totally engaged and trying to keep Paul focused on his stuff.
But my alarm bells went off after Paul discloses something he did this week ... twice in fact. One was "super icky" (completely unprofessional) and the other was "oh ... so you did that too?". You'll know exactly what I'm referring to.
I agree. I won't let my son see the sessions with Jesse. He once walked into the room and I turned off the TV and he said, "What? You let me see this show before." And I replied, "this character is inapporpriate."
Posted by jammerlich on November 16, 2010, at 23:13:41
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment' » Dinah, posted by annierose on November 16, 2010, at 12:26:01
I watched! And, holy cow, has she left the door open that there is a possibility there?? It sure seems like she has. Hopefully it's just the weekly cliffhanger and, next week, we'll see that she really hasn't. Ick is right!!
Posted by annierose on November 17, 2010, at 7:38:55
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment', posted by jammerlich on November 16, 2010, at 23:13:41
No, I don't think she has left the door open at all. All she said is that he stops himself from exploring possibilities. I don't believe the show would move in that direction as they already had that storyline in season one ... and the psychololgy community went nuts.
My ICK factor was Paul and his girlfriend having sex on the couch where his clients sit. That image isn't comforting as I approach's my t's couch.
Did you like the show?
Posted by jammerlich on November 17, 2010, at 8:40:59
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment' » jammerlich, posted by annierose on November 17, 2010, at 7:38:55
So glad you saw it differently than I. I did not watch the first season, so I did not know they had already gone that route.
And it is funny to me that we had very different ick factors! But, yes, the idea is very disconcerting and I am very glad that I cannot picture my T ever doing something like that.
Yes, I am liking the show quite a lot.
Posted by Dinah on November 25, 2010, at 19:37:35
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment' » Dinah, posted by annierose on November 16, 2010, at 12:26:01
Yes, definitely icky. I am so glad my therapist's couch is more a love seat. I hope he made sure that the bra wasn't the only thing left on the sofa. The fact that Wendy was so wanting to do it on the couch, and then left her bra behind, makes me wonder what other ways she tried to mark her territory.
It's not so much that Adele doesn't share information about her private life that makes me think of her as withholding. It's more that she withholds *herself*. She sits there and stares like my sheepdog sometimes. Jumps and gulps when Paul makes her anxious. And seems to be quivering to make her very intellectual interpretations. She pounces with them almost.
There have been so many opportunities to contrast her style with Paul's. I'm not sure if that is intentional or not. Paul is by no means perfect as a therapist and his boundaries are pretty shaky. But even at his best, and his most boundary upholding, he gives the gift of his humanity.
So you have the contrast between Paul making tea for Sunil, something that I'd guess Adele wouldn't do, and something she seemed to disapprove of. Yet because of that, Sunil was able to open up with Paul and be vulnerable.
Paul said something to Sunil about hearing the passion in his voice when he spoke of his young love. Adele said something similar to Paul about showing passion when he talked about Sunil. Yet with Paul it sounded like something he was struck by and enjoyed seeing. He invited Sunil to see that in himself. With Adele, it was so clinical. Like a note in a medical chart.
Paul told Jesse he was being inappropriate in breaking boundaries. Adele told Paul he was inappropriate in breaking boundaries. The difference in how, and the tone of voice, was striking. Even if Paul had sent Jesse on his way, he'd have done it with humanity and compassion. While Adele was cold, and even mocking. "Are you so paralyzed you can't stand?" I've had a therapist like that. For a very very short period of time. There are ways she could have made the point equally strongly but with humor and warmth.
Paul acted like a jerk last session, particularly given that he *knows* how therapy works. But I had a bit of sympathy for him. If I was confronted by that iceberg, I'd be trying to inflict a crack or two myself. The colder someone gets, the more likely I am to act out. I'd be looking for a reaction. He got one, and to me the reaction was telling as to what sort of person Adele is.
Of course, we already know that Paul comes back, and it's a good guess that Adele will be just the right therapist for him. Perhaps she is. Perhaps she's being more abrupt and confrontational because he is who he is, both personally and professionally.
Some of my favorite moments in Paul's sessions are after the really tough sessions. He and the client will sit in silence and Paul will smile. It's something I can see my therapist doing.
For all Paul's faults as a therapist, I like his warmth and humor and ability to disarm. I think Adele has just as many flaws, and they are ones I could tolerate less.
I just do not like her. But I know that there are therapists like her, and some people find it beneficial.
Posted by sassyfrancesca on November 29, 2010, at 13:23:03
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment' » annierose, posted by Dinah on November 25, 2010, at 19:37:35
I agree....I could never have Adele as a T.....she seems like a blank slate/statue.
I need connection and knowing that t is also human. She seems so uptight.
Posted by Daisym on November 30, 2010, at 16:24:57
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment' » annierose, posted by Dinah on November 25, 2010, at 19:37:35
I "hate" Adele. I'd have fired her previous to this but this last session made me want to throw up. The mocking part was bad enough but when she said "I can't do it alone and I won't do it past 5:50" I gasped. Isn't that every client's fear - that your therapist is only interested in you and your well-being during the hour you sit in front of them? I think it brings up the whole "paying for caring" debate. I'm sure the writers will find a way to let us see she does care but she should never, ever have said what she said. I would never have come back.
I've been reading the HBO forum and I think the therapists who are writing their analysis of the show are really reaching sometimes to make Paul the bad guy and Adele the one who has to "hold" the frame. It must be hard to consider the therapist's part as an instigator. The research shows that it is the relationship between therapist and client that is healing and influences changes in behavior. I have yet to find anything that specifically ties starting and stopping times to outcomes. Predictibility, yes - but one could argue that a therapist who is predictibly flexible within reason models behavior that works in the "real" world better.
Overall, I'm liking the show less this season. I think the clients are not that likeable and are overly hostile, including Paul when he is a client. I still like him as a therapist. But I do realize, as I say this, that one of my big issues is being unable to be mad at people. I want the clients to be "nice" - at least most of the time. (I know, sheesh...)
Posted by Dinah on November 30, 2010, at 16:39:46
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment' » Dinah, posted by Daisym on November 30, 2010, at 16:24:57
I'm so glad I'm not alone! I've searched the internet, and the general consensus seems to be that she's wonderful. I'd be a former client by now too.
I'm not sure how likable he is, but I find Sunil fascinating.
And I might be alone in liking Frances. Yes, she's self centered and whines a bit. So do I, I suppose, at times. She seems so frightened and so vulnerable. She's not behaving very well, but I can definitely identify.
But my dislike of Adele is overshadowing all of that. I suppose it says something about me that I have such strong negative feelings about her.
Posted by annierose on November 30, 2010, at 19:06:53
In reply to Re: Week 4 'In Treatment', posted by Dinah on November 30, 2010, at 16:39:46
Wonder what it says about me that I like Adele. Of course I found her irresponsible in that episode when she berates Paul and demands that he leaves her office. I can't imagine a therapist treating a client in such a rough manner. But overlooking that, I like her. I see what you are saying, and I agree she is more cool than warm, but she feels "safe" and there is a kindness about her. Adele feels in control and is smart - I like that - I feel I could trust her and her interpretations. As I said before, I often don't trust "very nice", although I love Paul and he is genuinely kind and nice.
I agree with Daisy re: the other clients - I do not like them either. I remember the gymnast from Season 1 (?) she was so likeable. I do not like Sunil at all. First of all, I can not understand much of what he mumbles. And he is scary and creepy. And I don't like that Paul lets Sunil smoke in his office - feel horrible for the next client. [I have often followed a smoker and although he/she doesn't smoke in my t's office, his/her stench does and I HATE it. My t has sprayed perfume, lit candles - anything to rid the stench. Changing my appt time worked best]
I'm so tired of hearing Frances whine - she needs to get over herself. And the boy is a mess.
Here we are - all nice and kind people and we all see the characters differently. It's interesting.
And this week ... hmmm ... the writers are going off the deep end. Too crazy. Too weird. Thank goodness it's just a TV show and not real people.
Posted by annierose on November 30, 2010, at 19:37:43
In reply to Re: Week 6 'In Treatment' Hmmmm - Dinah and Daisy, posted by annierose on November 30, 2010, at 19:06:53
I found the HBO forum last week and now I can only find viewers comments and not the three therapists. I hate their web site ... too darm confusing. Can you tell me how you found it??
Clicked on "In Treatment" clicked on "forums" then tried clicking on "Talk" ...
nothing but viewer comments
Posted by Daisym on December 1, 2010, at 0:36:59
In reply to Re: Question for Daisy, posted by annierose on November 30, 2010, at 19:37:43
Go to the series web site - click on In Treatment and then just click on one of the faces of the clients. The synopsis should pop up. I haven't watched week 6 yet.
Have you asked your therapist if they are watching?
Posted by annierose on December 1, 2010, at 6:34:35
In reply to Re: Question for Daisy » annierose, posted by Daisym on December 1, 2010, at 0:36:59
When I do that, a 20 video clip starts playing of the upcoming episode. Did I tell you that I hate their web site :)
When the series first started, my therapist was on vacation (Season 1). I told her about the show and she said, "I'll have to start watching." Since then, I haven't asked.
Have you?
Posted by Daisym on December 1, 2010, at 14:25:35
In reply to Re: Question for Daisy » Daisym, posted by annierose on December 1, 2010, at 6:34:35
I don't know - it didn't do that last night. But today mine does the same thing. Maybe they change it frequently? I hate their web site too.
I haven't asked but I might today. We've been talking a lot about how angry I feel at him (and everyone) so it would be nice to take a break from this subject. :)
This is the end of the thread.
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