Trigger

• The surface goal—Tracy wanted relief from neck pain while playing cello
• On more than one occasion, she mentioned her frustration with her “absentee husband” and how it was affecting their two girls in multiple ways. I explained that while I support the institution of marriage, she seemed isolated and the girls were getting themselves into promiscuous situations with alcohol and weed.  It seemed she and her husband were more like roommates, and I told her this as I agreed with what she told me. I owed her honesty, confidentiality, and advocacy for any action she was going to take. She was in an untennable, unhealthy family dynamic.  She and her daughters are in a much better place now—away from a neglectful father.
• What became vivid to me is that I’m not just a doctor, but a confidant—part of what is known as the deontological or duty-based role of a fiduciary caregiver. While I’m not a therapist, I do provide insights from a nonjudgemental perspective for my client’s greatest good. I also observe for signs of over-dependance and projection patients may exhibit to avoid getting in the crosshairs of potentially volatile situations and relationships

Dr. David Renner

404.567.6102