Therapy by Text, or Planet Waves Astrology?

Dear Friend and Reader:

I recently learned about something, well, rather modern — therapy by text message. The thought chills my bones, when I think of the many hours I spent in a cozy therapy room in Woodstock, with its window light, its fireplace burning in the winter, and actual contact with an experienced, caring person.

Photo by Lanvi Nguyen.

The first quality of therapy is refuge: a place to feel safe being yourself. It's a sad statement that this has been reduced to typing with one's thumbs.

The price of text therapy varies by service. I've read that on the low end, plans usually start at around $40 to $60 per week, to chat by SMS with someone you’ve never met or even spoken with.

Not only that, you surrender your data, including your mental conditions and presumably your use of prescription meds, to another database where it could end up anywhere.

I consider astrology to be a spiritual and therapeutic process. The way I do astrology is strongly influenced by some of the great therapy traditions (Gestalt, Hakomi and Jungian, to name a few). And I am strongly influenced by A Course in Miracles in my approach to growth and problem-solving.

For a basic membership to Planet Waves, I ask $14 a month (about $3 a week). For that, you get about 1,000 words each month devoted to you; just as many for your rising sign; and as many for the signs of your partner(s). With astrology, one well-timed thought can give you the clue you need, provide some encouragement, or help you turn your situation around.

For those who care to listen, I offer a weekly drop-in session known as Planet Waves FM.

As an astrologer, I discuss the more mundane concerns of psychic health — and write about things that many therapists steadfastly avoid.

Planet Waves is more than a horoscope. My message is one of trust and understanding. I see you as part of your world rather than as separate from it. And I offer consistency that is rare to find.

And should you need to speak to me, I am available for consultations. I may be the only "famous" astrologer that publishes my phone numbers so that anyone can reach me just about any time. I take my commitment to you that seriously.

You are invited to take advantage of what I am doing. See if it works for you. Read what others have to say, or sign up for a Core membership now.

Faithfully,