What "Self?" Which "Self"? Oh, this one...
A few words about myself, huh? Well, in describing our Selves we would do well to ponder the following several questions:
a) Are there any actual Selves to describe in the first place? (that's the "buddhist" in me, if, in fact, there is enough of a "me" to be "buddhist")
b) Is this presumed Self permanent enough to be described in a manner that is accurate enough to apply from one moment to another? (that's the "buddhist" in me, blah, blah, blah - see the caveat above)
c) Are we even capable of objectively describing the subjective that we are? (that's the "bu.. - I bet you are getting the point, if, in fact, there is enough permanence to your "you" to get the impermanence of my "me" as I try to describe my Self)
d) is it possible to describe a river (if this non-sequitor happened to "dam up" your "mind-flow," perhaps, you have just glimpsed a bit of the "you" and... perhaps, a bit of a "me"... since the "Buddhist" in "me" seems to think that there really might not that much of a difference between these two).
Thank you for your tolerant curiosity. And now you will understand why "I" just put "I" in quotation marks.
Professional Snapshot
"I" am a licensed psychologist in private practice, with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the State University of New York (at Buffalo). I have trained and worked in a variety of clinical settings, which include: psychiatric hospitals, university counseling center, corrections (county jail), community mental health centers, primary care/family medical practice, cancer hospital, veterans' hospitals, pain clinics, and private practice. I provide long-distance (telephone) life coaching as well.
Education:
State University of New York at Buffalo: Ph.D., Counseling Psychology
University of Central Arkansas: M.S., Counseling Psychology
Moscow State Pedagogical University: B.A., Teaching English as Second Language
Professional Affiliations
Member of the American Psychological Association (APA)
Member of the Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association (GPPA)
Member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA)
Military Service
Independent Special Purpose Motorized Rifle Brigade (OMSBON) of the Ministry of Interior of the Soviet Union (1987-1989). History of OMSBON http://www.battlefield.ru/content/view/259/123/lang,en/ Photo-flashbacK: here
Publications:
Somov, P.G. (in press, 2010) Present Perfect: from Mindless Pursuit of What Should Be to Mindful Acceptance of What Is (New Harbinger)
Somov, P. G. (2008)
Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating, One Meal at a Time. In stores November 2008, New Harbinger Publications.
Somov, P. G. (2008)
A Psychodrama Group for Substance Use Relapse Prevention Training.
The Arts in Psychotherapy, 38, 151-161.
Somov, P.G. (2007).
Meaning of Life Group: Group Application of Logotherapy for Substance Use Treatment.
Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 32 (4), 316 - 345.
Somov, P. & Somova, M. (2003)
Recovery Equation: Motivational Enhancement, Choice Awareness, Use Prevention: an Innovative Clinical Curriculum for Substance Use Treatment. Imprint Books, ISBN: 1594571929
Somov, P.G. (2000)
Time Perception as a Measure of Pain Intensity and Pain Type. Journal of Back & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 14 (3), 111-121.
Somova, M. J., Somov, P.G., Lawrence, J. L., & Frantz, T. T. (2000).
Factors associated with length of stay in a mid-sized, urban hospice. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 17(2), 99-106.