Both psychotherapy and art deal directly with the emotions of their participants. In psychotherapy, psychiatrists and patients sift through human emotions to help deal with life's problems. In art, artists seek to inspire, to create beauty and to grapple with difficult issues through various mediums. In both instances, the challenges facing the human condition are central. By examining the literature we find most moving, we can better understand ourselves. Equally important, the discussion of art, film and literature can provide an invaluable glimpse into the unconscious world of our patients. The themes of integrity, ambition and choice emerged in my exploration of this topic, capturing part of the essence of who I am as a person. While a similar study with another person would yield a different picture, the connection between art and the unconscious is undeniable.
