The past several weeks have been trying as our economy reels, our elections draw nigh and Presidential candidates are slouching towards Bethlehem. I was thinking today about Neville Symington's idea of the internal act of freedom. Lately, I have longed for a place in my mind that doesn't completely fuse with larger cultural anxieties, that allows me to do my work daily with very frightened and panicked patients. I aspire toward a mental equilibrium, where I move amongst neighbors and fellow citizens in line at Peet's Coffee, shopping for food at the grocery store, waiting in line at the bank (an oasis of calm these days), overhearing tense 401(k) holders and naysayers. Then, I step across the threshold and enter my consulting room. Being here gives me some relief. I spend time with my patients, take some focus off my own worries, work to find a way to suspend the Real -- the screams and shouts -- and listen for the Unconscious, which doesn't have a 401(k) plan. As Symington's idea whispers in my ear, I am reminded that Freud teaches us that the Unconscious of another may act on our Unconscious without passing through the Conscious, and I think to myself, I probably should lay off my news junkie habits and read more Freud right now. Bion's ideas helped Symington realize that he was actually free to think his own thoughts. So, I am striving for my own internal act of freedom and am calmed by doing my work. I am reminded with awe and respect that Freud has given us a great gift: that we are capable of more than we realize, should we choose to deepen our response to our own thinking. I'd love to sit down right now to a nice strong cup of coffee with Freud and Bion and Symington. I wish their offices were a bit closer to mine.

Warm regards,

Drew Tillotson, Psy.D.
NCSPP President

Editor's Note: In October's IMPULSE, Drew Tillotson expressed some of his personal political viewpoints. This was in no way an NCSPP endorsement for any political candidate. These were his personal political views and written within the context of his President's Remarks column.