"Then you must go to City of Emeralds. Perhaps Oz will help you."

"Where is this city?" asked Dorothy.

"It is exactly in center of country, and is ruled by Oz, Great Wizard I told you of."

"How can I get there?" asked Dorothy.

"You must walk. It is a long journey, through a country that is sometimes pleasant and sometimes dark and terrible.”

A psychotherapist is no more than a wizard or wizardess whose task is to help you find your self and in so doing seek your own soul. When your personal tornados toss you into unknown territory, learn to live with upheaval and follow your dreams. Let your wizard or wizardess help you. Remember your professional’s task is to guide you along way. Just as in Wizard of Oz, wizard is a very ordinary human. He or she just happens to be an extraordinary wizard.

This column's for you,

DR. D

Dorree Lynn, PH.D

Dr. Dorree Lynn is co-founder of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Psychotherapy and a practicing clinician in New York and Washington, DC. Dr. Lynn served on the executive board of the American Academy of Psychotherapists and she is on the editorial board of their publication, Voices. She is also a regular columnist for the Washington, DC newspaper, The Georgetowner. Dr. Lynn is a noted speaker and well known on the lecture circuit.

Susan turned to me for help. Together we decided that Ryan needed to speak to a therapist of his own, and that whole family could benefit from family therapy. Although Susan was an excellent psychiatrist, in this situation she was a mother and wife first. Through a social service agency affiliated with hospital where she worked, Susan, her son, and newly blended family were able to find help they needed.

The immediate crisis had been handled by calling her attorney, but it had taken several weeks of careful consideration to find appropriate long-term help. Susan was lucky. She already knew a mental health professional whom she trusted. Still, it took time before she was able to sort out a useful direction for all involved.

Life is too hard to do alone,

Dr. D.

Dorree Lynn, PH.D.

Dr. Dorree Lynn is co-founder of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Psychotherapy and a practicing clinician in New York and Washington, DC. Dr. Lynn served on the executive board of the American Academy of Psychotherapists and she is on the editorial board of their publication, Voices. She is also a regular columnist for the Washington, DC newspaper, The Georgetowner. Dr. Lynn is a noted speaker and well known on the lecture circuit.