Essays
Introduction
I have a collection of more serious works, some from school, others just inspired by various ideas. I thought that distinguishing them here would let the interested reader browse more knowledgeably when looking for fun vs. content. (Although I hope that all I write is both to some degree.
Interesting Responsibilities: While working at Borders, I hosted the winners from a regional essay contest for middle school students in Orange County. Their topic was: What does responsibility mean to you? As my guests, I taught them about the nature of being published, including how to write well and how to practice the craft in expectation of future success. I wrote this as an exemplar essay, and am posting for the same purpose in future classes. It is strongly autobiographical, and may be of some interest on its own merits as well.
Peter’s Little Walk: The Spiritual Dimension of Mindfulness in Matthew 14:22-33: One of my crowning papers for Grad School. This one was the impetus for a presentation at APA in 2006, an honor as my partner and I were both students and still gained an individual paper session. It deals with the integration of biblical narrative into therapy via metaphor work; strongly encouraged and developed through my professor, Marv Erisman’s own ideas. It looks at how the narrative, absent any true theological leanings can present a powerful tool for psychotherapy.
Finding Your Voice: I wrote this as a kind of musing ramble, but thinking about one of my former students and his desire to become a writer. It’s a little odd, but it trys to capture the essence of what I feel when I’m trying to develop a story. It’s more about getting something personal than just writing well; there is a voice that will draw the reader in, more than just flashy fast-paced story telling. Something, visceral, real.
