Ask the Rock Doc: - a Feature of The Phantom Tollbooth

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Ask the Rock Doc
By psychologist, Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. BLT

*Some of the following inquiry and reply content may be altered to protect the confidentiality of the inquiring party and to illustrate key psychological and spiritual principles.

Dear Rock Doc:
I’ve always admired rock musicians, and fell in love with this drummer over the summer of ‘06. We seemed to be soul mates. He was everything I admired in a man. I was 19 and he was 20. We hung out everywhere together. I went to all of his gigs, and he went to all of mine (I’m a lead singer in a alternative folk band called When In Doubt.

Then it happened. He stood me up at one of my gigs, and the phone stopped ringing after that. I was worried at first that he was in an accident or something. Then, about a week later, I learned from a friend that he was out with some other chick. I confronted him the day she confided in me, and he admitted it. It was a nightmare. He was totally cold to me. Ever since the day I approached him, I feel like a fool. I’m filled with rage for most of each day, followed by sadness and tears every night. I can’t concentrate on anything. Valentine’s Day is going to be hell. Please help.

Girl Betrayed by a Drummer Over the Summer

Dear Girl Betrayed by a Drummer Over the Summer:

I can’t write much as I’m suffering from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and it is painful if I type too much. But I would like to respond by saying that the feelings you are experiencing are normal, but you need help. Musicians can be traitors, but music will always be there for you and it will never betray you. Here’s the song I recommend for starters (yeah, I know my voice is a little rough and nasally on it, and so if you know someone who can sing it better, let me know).

I’d like to recommend that you begin writing a journal documenting your journey to heartbreak recovery. After listening to the song, reflect on your feelings and make the first entry in your diary. In the diary, create a heartbreak recovery plan. The plan should include surrounding yourself with good friends, seeing a therapist, taking about your feelings every day to your friends, and once a week with your therapist, and asking the Holy Spirit, the comforter to comfort your sorrow, and lead you on your journey to recovery.

You’ll survive Valentine’s Day. I know you will. And you will not only survive, but thrive in the days, lonely nights, weeks, months and years ahead. I’m sorry for your loss. Let me know where your journey takes you.

Dr. BLT, The Rock Doc
http://www.drblt.net

If you are a musician in distress, or a family member of friend of one, please write me at
drblt@drblt.net

Dr. BLT, aka Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen, is a Christ-centered licensed clinical psychologist and university instructor who specializes in the psychology of modern music. He uses his original songs as well as those of other artists to address the problems of his patients, including his biggest, sickest, most challenging patient--society.

His face and name recognition, particularly with teens, comes from his short part on a long Cake music video--the Cake video for “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” that earned the band a nomination for Ground Breaking Music Video of the Year on the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.