Contributed by Mark O'Connell

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Be Yourself—But Don’t

Magazine Article - Case Study

March 22, 2022

“Be Yourself—But Don’t”

Mixed Messages from a Mother to Her Gay Son

Mark O'Connell & Joe Kort

What happens when loving mothers of gay sons unknowingly send them mixed messages about being themselves? Read More
A theater curtain

Online Story

November 5, 2021

Should Therapists Go Back to an Office?

Deepening Our Work “Off Stage”

Mark O'Connell

Seeing clients through the COVID-19 crisis has shown us not only that psychotherapy can be effective outside the traditional frame—complete with an office, couch, and a therapist who never breaks character—but also that shattering the frame when necessary, and allowing our humble humanness to be present, is actually necessary to connect with each unique client. Read More
A small hand reaches to touch a larger one

Magazine Article

May 1, 2020

The Audition

From Our Symposium Storytelling Event

Mark O'Connell

What do you do when you're wrong for the part? Read More
An illustration of two colorful figures

Magazine Article

March 7, 2019

Character Work

What Therapists Can Learn from Actors

Mark O'Connell

Therapists can flop in their “performance” with clients, coming off as inauthentic or over the top. One former actor discovers how to embody the kind of “scene partner” his clients need him to be. Read More

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Mark O'Connell

Mark O'Connell

Mark O’Connell, LCSW-R, MFA, is a psychotherapist and professional actor in New York City. He’s the author of the new book The Performing Art of Therapy: Acting Insights and Techniques for Clinicians, and writes for Psychology Today and The Huffington Post, as well as clinical journals.