Dr. Peter Olsson, M.D.

Beginning January 13th, 2009 Dr. Olsson will be opening a private practice in Keene, New Hampshire. The office will be located at: 151 West Street, 2nd Floor, Keene, New Hampshire, (603) 357-1700.

"A painfull past understood, is less likely to be repeated."

"Inner strengths discovered, have enduring value."

Many problems can be resolved by psychotherapy without medication. Psychotherapy can compliment medication use;

Dr. Olsson will be offering: Psychoanalytic Consultation & Psychotherapy, Individual Psychotherapy, Supervision of Psychotherapy, Couples Therapy, Men's Group Therapy, Collegial Supervision & Support Groups for therapists or healthcare providers, Second opinion Consultation regarding Therapy Impasses or problems

Services strictly confidentail and by appointment only.

Fees due at time of visit: Initial evaluation (one hour) $250.00; Individual Psychotherapy or supervision session (50 minutes) $150.00; Couples therapy $200 (60 min), Group Therapy or supervision (90 minutes) $50.00 per session, per member; Group Therapy Supervision $30.00 per session, per member. Therapy groups meet weekly, supervision groups twice monthly.

MAGIC PILLS AND TALKING CURES

Peter A. Olsson MD

            Modern neurochemistry and psychopharmacology have provided us with many valuable tools to treat the symptoms of severe depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia and severe anxiety disorders. However, trust and clear communication with our family doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker and psychiatric nurse practitioner is still the cornerstone of medical treatment.

            Truth and trust go hand-in-hand as a person tells their doctor about physical and mental symptoms and significant family, marital or other relationship or communication problems. It often feels painful, embarrassing and awkward as we summon up the courage to speak truthfully with a relative stranger. This is true even if they are a well-trained professional. This is why mental health professionals make a careful distinction between an evaluation or assessment, and the beginning of treatment.

            Both patient and therapist are assessing and evaluating each other. Is the therapist clear in their communications? Are they open about discussing their education, training and experience? Have they had therapy themselves? Was it successful? Do they follow-up on what they say they will do? Do they look you in the eye? Do they listen to you carefully, thoroughly and deeply? Do they have some sense of humor as well as seeming to take our concerns seriously?

            Once a treatment plan is offered and we accept it however, it is best to attend sessions regularly and on time. If we are late to therapy sessions a good therapist will look at such behavior in an effort to help us understand ourselves. If we have questions about medications, dosages or behavioral recommendations we would best ask about them right away or as soon as possible. But, after clarification, follow them as best we can. If there are medication side effects or negative occurrences to behavior recommendations we need to discuss them promptly with the therapist at the next session.

            If recommendations are made to exercise regularly, follow a careful diet or proceed into situations or conversations that are stressful or anxiety provoking--- we should summon up our courage and give it our best shot. Positive change in psychotherapy rarely occurs without hard psychological work and some anxiety.

            Psychotherapy has many forms. (Individual, group, family, supportive, relationship/exploratory, analytic, confrontational or CBT .) In each form of psychotherapy a relationship is central to the process. A relationship with a therapist resembles one with a trusted friend but the therapist has professional knowledge, experience and training. This allows the therapist to have more objectivity and neutrality than a family member, spouse or friend who might be less likely to confront us with what we might not like to hear but what we really need to face and change. Change usually and often best occurs slowly and steadily over time. Therapy often lasts months and years depending on the nature of the problems. At times therapy is fascinating or fun, but usually it involves our hard psychological work.

           Insurance companies have a code # (90807) they use when psychotherapy is used simultaneously with psychiatric medication. This combination sometimes facilitates a more rapid resolution of our symptoms but the psychotherapy also needs to be completed. Good and successful therapy never results in perfection. It does help us to see the value of prompt treatment in the future if the need arises. Successful therapy is like well invested money that compounds in value over a lifetime.

Don't miss Dr. Olsson in the History Channels presentation of:

Click on the link above to check the History Channel web-site for the current show times.

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT---Dr. Olsson's new book is currently available on Amazon.com thru this link http://www.amazon.com/Cult-Osama-Psychoanalyzing-Magnetism-Muslim/dp/0275999890/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197337915&sr=1-1

CULT OF OSAMA: Psychoanalyzing Bin Laden and His Magnetism for Muslim Youth.

Publisher: Praeger of The Greenwood Publishing Group

In CULT OF OSAMA, Dr. Peter Olsson approaches Osama bin Laden et. al. from an applied psychoanalytic and psychodynamic perspective. He applies psychological and social psychological observations from his 25-year study of destructive cults and cult leaders to try to understand the mind of Osama bin Laden. There are many journalistic, political, military and intelligence books about bin Laden and terror groups. But, Olsson’s study offers a purely psychological, psychobiographical, and social psychological perspective on Osama. Dr. Olsson is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst and the author of Malignant Pied Pipers of Our Time, a 2005 study of destructive cults and cult leaders.

Osama’s psychobiography resonates with the psychological wounds and narcissistic injuries that reverberate among many Arab and Muslim youths in their search for meaning, identity, and heroes. Osama’s Malignant Pied Piper appeal stems from this peculiar but profoundly important synchrony of shared trauma and pain between Osama and Arab/Muslim youth.

Osama has underlying ambivalence toward his father and the millions of dollars he inherited from his father. Many people in the Arab and Muslim world see Osama as a generous, unselfish, Robinhood-like benefactor and hero. In the author’s view, Osama acts out his inner, unresolved disappointments in his father through a violent jihad of revenge against Saudi ruler father figures and their American friends. At a conscious level, Osama sees himself as revering and honoring his father’s devotion to Wahhabism. At an unconscious level, he acts out his profoundly ambivalent feelings of shame, grief, and disappointment in the western materialistic basis for his father’s Saudi oil money and power.

Bin Laden’s psychology has important implications for American foreign policy, foreign aid, and our formal and informal diplomatic efforts. The application of concepts such as group self, groupthink, and “prolonged adolescence” helps explain key issues in bin Laden’s life and the lives of terror cult recruits. American efforts to deal with terrorism can benefit from being informed about these issues.

CULT OF OSAMA is available through bookstores, Amazon.com and B&N

A psychological Study of Destructive Cult Leaders from Rev. Jim Jones to Osama bin Laden

By Peter A. Olsson, M.D.

Brief Description of the Book:

In this book, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Peter A. Olsson examines the phenomena of destructive and apocalyptic cults, revealing the psychological roots of both leaders and cult members. Dr. Olsson calls the leaders — Rev. Jim Jones, David Koresh, Shoko Ashahara, Osama bin Laden, and others — Malignant Pied Pipers for the way they lure followers to their deaths. He uses the tenets of psychology to analyze the lives of the cult leaders and the source of their powerful attraction to vulnerable converts. Most important in this age of global terrorism, Dr. Olsson offers his vision for the book:

“It is my hope that this in-depth psychological study of destructive cult leaders of the last 30 years — Malignant Pied Pipers — illuminates the roots of their malevolence and their power, a condition that has invariably led to murder, mass suicide, the destruction of families, and to the terrorist acts that dominate our headlines. By understanding them and their appeal, we increase our chance of averting future disasters.”

As a psychoanalyst, Dr. Olsson has helped victims and relatives of cult members. As an experienced researcher, he has listened to and evaluated countless tapes of apocalyptic charismatics and read their literature.

The timeliness of the topic is evident on the front page of the daily newspaper, which explodes with descriptions of the latest terrorist victims, cult suicides, or bombings by religious fanatics. Throughout the world, people are starving for information on ways they can protect themselves, their children, and their friends from falling prey to extremists.

Malignant Pied Pipers of Our time can be purchased online at

Publish America and enter code #1-4137-7668-X , Amazon.com , and at

BarnesandNoble.com

Also available by Dr. Olsson:

"Poems Behind a Psychiatrists Couch"

Dr. Olsson's book of poems is available thru amazon.com.

Or 1-800-834-1803