Swedish Therapy Cabs: Therapy on the Go

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Sweden has the highest number of one-person households in the EU — 47% of Swedish households are comprised of persons living alone. Living alone can increase loneliness and other symptoms of depression especially during long Swedish winters where there is very little daylight.

In an attempt to introduce therapy to riders who may be experiencing depression and/or other issues, Taxi Stockholm, a private taxi service, has hired three therapists to provide counseling in the back seat of its taxis to passengers. The idea is to normalize therapy and even help passenger/client with a pressing issue. No matter how short the ride, bringing therapy to the rider can expose and normalize the idea of therapy so they are more likely to seek it out themselves after they leave the taxi.

What a great idea! I am all for it — especially in large cities where personal connections are difficult to make and maintain and time is short. This could be one very clever idea to destigmatize therapy for the general public.

Coming Out from the Closet of Anonymity: New Recovery Advocacy Movement

I have written before about many of my clients' disfavor towards AA/NA approach to recovery. Complaints range from discomfort about its "religious" or "spiritual" take, emphasis on handing your life to "higher power": the necessity of admitting of "powerlessness": the depressive atmosphere of the meetings "AA/NA meetings are for older addicts who've run out of options.

I have addressed some of these criticisms and offered alternative communities where people can come together to provide mutual support and commiserate about their personal daily struggles.

New Recovery Advocacy Movement is gaining momentum by challenging the anonymity of recovery and declaring that it contributes to stigmatization of addiction and recovery. I very much agree about the problem of stigmatization (societal/personal). If the addict is alone with it it only contributes to the cycle of shame, guilt and isolation.

People behind movement have produced a documentary "Anonymous People."

This is the trailer, to view the full documentary you need to purchase it on Vimeo on Demand.
And here is the link to the longer piece from the Fix.

What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Love

Rather than roses, chocolates and glittering jewels, I’d like to discuss, today being Valentine’s Day, the other side of contemporary dating life: blisters, warts, shame and embarrassment. In a culture that glamorizes sexuality at every opportunity, the unpleasant outcomes of active sexuality do not receive the necessary attention it deserves. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and infections (STI), which are solely medical conditions, suggest promiscuity, immorality, uncleanness and other equally unsavory connotations. Because of these culturally objectionable associations, many people newly diagnosed with a STI or STD, confine it to themselves after a hasty conversation with their doctor. And, of course, there is the Internet, the vast public forum for both pertinent medical information, and misinformation and opinions that perpetuate the stigma around sexual illness and sexuality. 

Shame and guilt, when not named and brought out to air, fester and gain momentum and significance. Repression and denial may be effective for a short time, but, eventually, the emotional impact requires processing; otherwise, the original shame and guilt will seep into other parts of life. As difficult as it may seem, what it means to have a STD or STI needs to be talked about. Exploring your feelings now will be better for your emotional and physical health in the long run. You can talk about it with someone in your life who is nonjudgmental, mature and caring, such as a close friend, parents, confidant, partner or a therapist. In addition, it is also very important to understand it from the medical perspective; this is necessary to protect your health in the future.

This topic brings up so many issues, I will make sure to write more on this very soon. 

Thank you for reading.