Episode #15 - Dr. Karen Maroda - The Analyst’s Vulnerability

EPISODE #15 - Dr. Karen Maroda - The Analyst's Vulnerability


Every once in a while, as a psychotherapist you come across an
author who’s work really resonates with you. It challenges,
inspires, and makes a mark on your own way of practicing. For me,
Dr. Karen Maroda is one of those authors.


Dr. Maroda is a psychologist and psychoanalyst in private
practice in Milwaukee, WI. She is the Clinical Professor of
Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is the author
of four books including:
The Power of Countertransference Seduction, Surrender, and
Transformation Psychodynamic Techniques The Analyst’s
Vulnerability, which was just released earlier this year

I first read her work in 2005 while in Grad School to become a
therapist and was immediately drawn in. I have returned to her
books countless times throughout my career and almost always
recommend them to therapists I supervise or consult with.


Throughout her work, but particularly in her new book, The
Analyst’s Vulnerability (Great Title, BTW) there is a consistent
call to therapists examine our own motivations for being
therapists, to let go of the need to be perfect, to embrace our
own humanity, and to show up with our patients in a deeply
authentic, courageous and relational way. She often pushes
against whatever the current popular fad in our field happens to
be, and points out that we therapists are prone to avoid conflict
by hiding behind our theories, techniques, and tools. In her new
book she writes, “We have never focused on the natural conflicts
that arise in any relationship, including the analytic one, in
part because it would necessitate the examination of our own
needs, desires, and shortcomings” (Maroda, 2022, p. 102).


In my opinion, this book is a must read for any psychotherapist
who takes seriously the idea that our patients are far more than
symptoms, thoughts, behaviors and who believe that our role in
the work is far more dynamic than simply providing advice and
solutions.


 


I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Karen Maroda as much as
I did! Thank you for listening.


Links for Dr. Maroda


LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-j-maroda-ph-d-abpp-b1679263


Website: https://www.karenmaroda.com/


 


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Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical
director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also
a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic
Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for
therapists.