Dr. O’s Rap

The Secret Power of Pyjamas

dr.o logoThis morning as I surfed for news I scoured the British press which was filled with tales of s’no fun!

Living as I do in Canada, I am no stranger to the havoc that a huge dump of snow can cause. So I am facinated by the mayhem and disruption that has befallen the UK in light of the current cold snap which has engulfed Britain.

Segway back to reality, as I drive my usual route to work I bear witness to the usual high school stragglers strolling through their early PE morning jaunt up hills and down the dales (subsitute the back streets of Port Moody)! BTW aren’t you supposed to be running guys and gals?

Just a minute… are they wearing teeshirts and runners, or is that girl wearing pyjamas? Maybe she was in a hurry to get to school this morning? Oh c’mon I’m not that far behind fashion trends, and besides children are not so serious as grown ups and they love a good laugh….

So where am I going with this you may ask, well there’s nothing more fun for kids than a snow day. I remember my own kids delight as the local TV channels announced school closures after heavy snow fall. I am guessing even as I write this that many kids are longing for a snow day here in Canada.

So I am announcing Friday as a Pajamas-Inside-Out, Spoon-Under-the-Pillow-Day…. bring on the white stuff.

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Connection : Dr. O’s Rap

dr.o logoThis morning as I was getting ready for work I looked out of the window and happened to remark to ‘her indoors’… isn’t that the young doctor from down the street?

“I really couldn’t tell you” was her response.

It got me thinking. I grew up in the small village in South Wales, and I knew everyone in that village, not just our next door neighbors… but literally the entire village!

OK ‘Jamesy the talkdoc’ less of the flannel…. No I didn’t live in Llareggub if that’s what you’re thinking!

Some forty odd years later and now living in Canada, I can admit to having the best next door neighbors and I count them as true friends… but alas… on the street I live, apart from recognizing that young doctor’s Labrador, I couldn’t tell you from Adam any one else who lives there!

Why is this do you think? I live in a beautiful country with amazing views and lots of friendly people who love to have barbeques and party, hey we even make wine here! But as a rule when people get home from that long days’ daily grind at the office they’re rarely to be seen ‘chatting’ over the back fence.

So just what is missing that emphasizes human interaction and creates that sense of neighborhood & belonging that I experienced growing up in that small Welsh village?

After all, isn’t connection the core of what gives purpose and meaning to our lives?

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Dr. O’s Rap: Therapy Works!

dr-oWhen you have been practicing psychology as long as I have, it is easy to question new therapies when you discover them. Well this weekend this notion of mine was put to the test! My wife and I were staying in Naramata with some good friends! It was our intent to tour (and sample) some of B.C.’s best wineries.
On Saturday we visited 8 wineries; one stood out, somehow by sheer coincidence we stumbled upon ˜Therapy Vineyards. Imagine my delight!
Pink FreudThere I sampled the ˜Freudian Sip, Pink Freud, and Super Ego Magic! However, I did leave with a bit of an inferiority complex. The therapy offered here was cheaper than anything I offer, tasted divine, and left me feeling warm and fuzzy. If an Englishman’s gin bottle is his castle – Therapy Vineyards is my favoured retreat.
Now all that’s left for me is to work out how to turn my next visit into a double-blind study!

** Rumpole

Dr. O Raps about ‘e-therapy’

dr-oLast month a client traveled to my office in Port Moody from a small Northern community in B.C. to receive treatment. I saw the client on 4 successive days. The distance between the two communities is roughly 700 miles. At the same time, I had been giving considerable thought to possibly moving to a more rural community myself. This would involve a long daily commute, but would eventually be my retirement nirvana. So where am I going with this you’re probably asking? [continue reading…]