Where mindfulness and psychoanalysis MEET
On Mindfulness and Embodiment
Mindfulness in Buddhist practice resonates with concepts of evenly hovering attention and free association, a process likened by Freud to a passenger viewing their own thoughts in words through a train window. It also relates to observing one's internalized objects of criticism and solace.
As one develops the ability through mindfulness to let certain thoughts pass without giving them extra life, subjects can therefore change their state of embodiment, as when a peaceful river of thought relaxes the body.
We explore embodiment, both in terms of reflecting on the continual embodiment of one's mind (Clocan, 2015) and in choosing to embody certain self-concepts, whether queer or gender-related or focused on other existential needs, such as integrity or self-love, in order to ease the pain of inauthenticity, of lying about oneself, seeking truth instead.
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Dr. Dylan Marks, Private Practice
I offer individual psychotherapy in-person and online at 303 Fifth Avenue. I work with adolescents and young adults on behavioral regulation and healthy self-expression, discovering who they want to be and how to navigate the world, what that means to them. I also work with older adults on coming to terms with loss and their own conflicts regarding present relationships and themselves. I treat depression and anxiety, as well as bipolarity, OCD, addiction, ADHD, autism, schizoid and personality disorders. I help people in their pursuit of a sense of meaning in their lives, repairing or accepting relationships, overcoming addiction and grief. I work as well with couples on recognizing each other's dynamic needs, distinguishing them from wants (Winnicott, 1968).
My specialties include adolescence, matters of spirituality, working with relationship and sexual difficulties/opportunities for growth, the search for meaning in young adulthood, behavioral and cognitive change addressing self-esteem, family's systemic dysfunctions and abuse, conflicts at work or school, internally or externally, PTSD, and struggles with one's own queerness and gender concepts. Meaning is explored emotionally and analytically to help the patient make healthier, more fulfilling choices and to live a richer inner life. Mindfulness is utilized for behavioral and perspectival change. Playfulness with imaginative spontaneity is helpful when it can be freed up; thus, space is created for the patient's searching of their own vital truths and repairing through them.
I accept most major insurance, including Anthem (BCBS), Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare and Medicare with a sliding scale for out-of-pocket.