SYNOPSIS
A Very Narrow Bridge: Reflections of a Psychologist
A Very Narrow Bridge: Reflections of a Psychologist, weaves together my stories with those of my patients to create an intricate tapestry of our common humanity.
We begin as I retire...
This turning point in my life triggers a cascade of questions that my younger self seldom consciously considered.
- When is it time to give up rather than persist in trying to improve a relationship?
- What enables us to control our angry feelings in some situations and not in others?
- Is faith a weakness or a strength?
- When does helping another become destructive?
- How can we move from guilt to regret?
- Do the ends ever justify the means?
- How is it that we are sometimes resilient and other times sink into despair?
I describe my challenges in raising a gay, brilliant daughter, and a son, with a developmental disability; my struggling through a stormy divorce battle; coping with significant losses and trauma; and caring for an aging parent.
Patients include angry, adolescent boys pressured to participate in group therapy at a psychiatric clinic, an abused woman from Kenya who suffers depression after being injured at work, a woman who is disabled by an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a man from Trinidad who struggles with post-traumatic anxiety.
The stories shift from the perspective of my younger self to those of my older self, bringing a greater depth to our understanding of the questions and dilemmas that my patients and I faced.
During their journey with me, my hope is that readers will reflect with greater understanding on questions they face and choices that are open to them in moving toward greater self-care.
- Dr. Rickey Miller
A VERY NARROW BRIDGE
Reviews By Psychologists
There has been no other psychologist for whom I have heard as much praise from clients I see for assessments. I have repeatedly listened to clients tell me over the years during my interviews that you have been the only one to help them, that they do not know what they would have done without you, that you do so much more than other treatment providers have for them, etc etc etc.
I work closely with a friend and colleague and we have had numerous conversations after seeing clients who are receiving subpar treatment that they should have been seeing Rickey Miller!
What a loss it will be to our community for you to retire, but when that day comes, I wish you all the best; happy and healthy times to come, and a well-deserved retirement from a remarkable career.
- Dr. Lara Davidson
Dr. Miller was my very first mentor in my path to becoming a psychologist. She supervised my doctoral research with chronic pain patients in the Pain Clinic she established at the Toronto General Hospital (University Health Network). Subsequently, I served as a staff psychologist under her leadership as Chief Psychologist at Scarborough Grace Hospital.
As my mentor, she was my role model, teacher, and advocate. The clarity and confidence of her voice, her emotional intelligence, and the compassion and care she extended to patients and colleagues inspired and shaped me. And most of all she gave me the gift of believing in myself for which I will always be grateful.
- Dr. Jonathan Quek
I first met Dr. Miller as a psychology doctoral student doing a placement under her supervision. At that time, she was a staff psychologist at a major teaching hospital in Toronto where she had developed a pain management program. I was so impressed by the work she was doing there that I asked her to supervise my dissertation research. It was my very good fortune that she agreed. As a student, I learned a great deal from her, not only about clinical psychology and research, but, especially about truly compassionate, ethical and empathic care for patients. The support and advocacy that she provided for me as a student and young psychologist were invaluable in my professional development. Dr. Miller has never lacked courage to speak the truth and to stand up for principles and people she supports.
I maintained a relationship with Dr. Miller when she became the chief psychologist in a new community hospital and then when she went on to develop a large and varied private practice. We have become friends over the years but, in addition to our friendship, she has continued to be a role model and inspiration to me. I am proud to have her as a mentor, friend and example.
- Dr. Ann Sprague