MEET AUTHOR JENNIE SPALLONE'S PROTAGONIST DR. KATHERINE COOK, PH. D.

Today we welcome Dr. Katherine Cook, protagonist of award-winning suspense author Jennie Spallone’s Psychobabble. Learn more about her and Jennie at Jennie’s website. 

Would You Hire Me For Your Therapist?

By Dr. Katherine Cook, Ph. D.

Ever heard the story about the shoemaker’s son who goes barefoot? The kids of mental health professionals fall into a similar category. Actually, it’s even worse for us. As a psychologist, I speak from personal experience when I say we mental health professionals become too fixated on untangling our own childhood traumas to help our children and clients wrestle with their mishigas, which my Jewish friends define as craziness.

It’s tough to admit, but I believe I am losing my mind. For the last few months, I’ve been passing out, discovering household items I never purchased, experiencing diabolical headaches, and hearing voices. Don’t worry – I took a leave of absence from my domestic violence counseling practice so as not to negatively impact my clients. Also, I have no children to gift with a genetic disorder; at thirty-two-years-old, my motherhood dreams have dissipated in direct proportion to the decreased number of dates I’ve gone on in the last few years.

 

The doctors have given me every test under the sun -- or so they say -- but my physical, psychological, and cognitive tests have all proved negative. I’m frustrated that no one can diagnose my condition. I’m definitely not hallucinating a mental disorder!

I’ve thumbed through the DSM 5 hundreds of times for my domestic violence and pedophile survivor clients, but this time, I feel ambivalent. This time it’s all about me. Although anxious to know the truth of my medical condition, a voice inside my head says, “You don’t want to know.” I’ve sifted through my negative childhood memories – mother mauled by lion when I was five, adopted by aunt and uncle, hospitalized for allergic response to chocolate, divorced from professor – nothing overly dramatic. My psychiatrist says I undervalue the traumas I’ve experienced. I tell her my clients’ horror stories make mine sound like fairy tales – which, I admit, are actually horror stories for young children.

Carol Sobel, Psy. D., my psychiatrist, was my mother’s colleague before mom got killed. She refuses to even entertain the possibility that the psychological test results she’s given me might be wrong. She agrees that I’m not bipolar, also known as manic/depressive; this disorder occurs in older teens or young adults. However, we disagree about Schizophrenia, a brain disorder that distorts the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotion, and perceives reality.  While Schizophrenia usually occurs in young adults, it can be diagnosed into the early 30s; I’m 32, a prime candidate.

I would very much appreciate your emotional support as I continue my quest. It is only when I discover the source of my medical condition that I will gain peace of mind. Only then will I have the knowledge I need to return to the work I love.

You can reach me through my friend’s website: www.jenniespallone.com

Thank you in advance for the strength to carry on….

Sincerely,

Katherine Cook, Ph. D.

Psychobabble

Dr. Katherine Cook, Ph.D, struggles with frequent black outs, memory loss, and impulsive behavior. Items she’s not purchased turn up in her desk drawer and refrigerator. After neurological and physical tests come back negative, the Chicago domestic violence psychologist fears she is losing her mind.

As Kate wrestles with her health situation, a serial killer of pedophiles is on the loose in the City. CPD detectives Maggie O’Connor and Monroe Jackson plod through a tangled web of leads, while the FBI chomps to take over the Case.

Then Kate’s colleague reveals a member of the Loved Ones of Pedophiles support group they cohost may be involved in the killings. Now the psychologist must decide whether to betray the anonymity of their members, or allow a serial killer to walk free. Either way, she will be forced to confront childhood truths she’s kept hidden for two decades — even from herself.

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HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--LACK OF MARITAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH PROTAGONIST MITZY MAVEN

photo by Lewis Ronald

Healthy living involves healthy communication—whether between a patient and doctor, coworkers, neighbors, spouses, or just about anyone. Lack of communication can lead to stress, and we all know that leads to all sorts of medical problems.

Today we welcome Mitzy Maven, the protagonist of suspense author Jennie Spallone’s Window of Guilt. Mitzy communicates just fine. Too bad the same can’t be said for her high school friend Laurie and Laurie’s husband. Learn more about Jennie and her books at her website. 

Hi. I’m Mitzy Maven and I’m slumped on the back seat floor of my friend’s SUV as I secretly type this email into my IPAD. As a former investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune, I’ve seen my share of bad guys. But I was truly freaked out, as my mom would say, when my high school friend cajoled me into tailing her husband. Marital infidelity? Shady business dealings? The well runs deeper than that. We’re talking marital communications, here.

Laurie’s not the easiest person to communicate with. Granted, she’s a kind, compassionate person who adores her husband, son, and puppy. But that tongue of hers can bite! She looks for hidden meanings in the most inane conversation. And if your actions don’t meet her specifications, she’ll try to change you.

Example: Laurie’s husband, Ryan, is a health insurance adjuster. Type A personality guy who one day just up and quit the business. Laurie was plenty steamed. Who, in these tough economic times, just walks out on his job, with a family to support?

Laurie attempted to wrestle the facts from her husband, but Ryan wasn’t talking.

The harder she pressed, the more he withdrew. I urged Laurie to minimize her anger and frustration by meditating. Heck, she already does yoga, so I figured this was no great stretch – no pun intended!

But Laurie refused to acknowledge her own anger issue so that her husband would feel “safe” enough to confide in her. Arguments ensued, to the point that their young son complained of “bad energy” in the house. Even the dog reacted to the negativity by peeing on the furniture!

Ryan’s approaching the car now. Before I log off, I gotta say that two hot heads don’t a reasonable decision make! I truly hope that Ryan’s only problem is learning to communicate with his wife without feeling vulnerable.

Window of Guilt

Chicago real estate agent Laurie Atkins is gardening beneath the relentless August sun when her dog's frantic barks divert her to a dead body sprawled on the front acreage of her Wisconsin summer home. She rushes inside to phone the police, but the body disappears. Laurie begins to doubt her own sanity. Then the unidentified body turns up on the driveway of Helga Beckermann, her devious neighbor.

When her emotionally withdrawn husband skips town on the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Laurie uncovers truths she’d rather deny. Her family in peril, Laurie enlists the help of two women she thinks she can trust: former Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Mitzy Maven, and tough-talking CPD detective Maggie O’Connor.

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