Miguel, age 31, has a successful career as an interior decorator.
He’s making more money than he ever dreamed he would.
Rather than feeling a sense of accomplishment, he typically feels anxious.
He often has dreams of failure and humiliation, and wakes up every morning in a cold sweat.
His friends recommended a therapist that specializes in the treatment of anxiety.
After an initial consultation period that lasted several weeks, Miguel and his therapist agreed to a six-month treatment plan
exploring the possibility that his adult anxieties were rooted in deep conflicts stemming from his childhood.
At each treatment session, the therapist encourages him to relax and then to say the first thing that pops into his head.
After examining several of these associations, the therapist probes Miguel’s dreams,
and tries to find symbolism that would connect with his childhood experiences, especially his relationship with his parents.
After several months of therapy, Miguel is convinced he is making progress.
He’s glad that he has the time and money to explore the roots of his anxieties.