Music to My Ears

Performing as therapeutic agent

by Julie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Stage fright is a mystifying and unnerving experience for many performing musicians and often impedes professional and personal fulfillment. However, when some performers seek psychological treatment, it is not unusual for them to wish for a quick cure for a problem that is complex and long-standing. Read More

Performance Anxiety and Tornadoes

Performance Anxiety and TornadoesThe Dexter TornadoJulie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D.

Like many people, I was saddened by the untimely and tragic death of Whitney Houston. I do not routinely listen to pop music, although I am aware of many hit songs and famous singers in that genre. I am, however, moved by the personal tragedy. Read More

Emotions and the Body

As a psychoanalyst, I listen to people tell their personal stories through the use of words. As an audience member at a concert, I listen to musicians tell their stories through the use of music. This sometimes includes lyrics but often does not In both scenarios, I often find myself affected by strong feelings. Read More

The Power of Silence

The Power of SilenceMusic in your mind

Julie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D.

An Alphabet of Stage Fright:A Dictionary of DefensesJulie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D.

If you feel chilly, you put on a sweater. If you have high fever, you visit your doctor. If you have a difficult paper to write, you spend time researching and writing. You have a problem. You figure out a solution. Read More

September 11 and Remembrance

On this solemn 10th anniversary of our country's national day of remembrance I would like to share some of my feelings about the healing powers of music. Read More

When Is A Symptom More Than A Symptom?

Almost everybody knows and chuckles at the quote attributed to Sigmund Freud about a cigar, "When is a cigar more than a cigar?" And almost everybody realizes that that a cigar can be taken literally to represent rolled up tobacco leaves that one smokes. But a cigar also can signify much more. Read More

Publish or Perish?

Mr. W came to see me when he was denied tenure at his academic institution. A creative researcher and popular teacher, he had complied his materials for the Tenure Committee as requested and was assured by all that he was a shoe-in. Several months later, Mr. Read More

Coaching Performance Anxiety

Reader responses to the YouTube video clip on my previous blog post on noted the positive and calming effect Coach Mo Cheeks had upon Natalie Gilbert, the young girl who froze when singing the National Anthem at the NBA Playoffs. One person commented that Coach Cheeks probably helped turn a traumatic situation into a more positive experience. Read More

Panic or Pleasure: Performance Anxiety

Can you imagine yourself in one of the following situations? You begin to sing, play an instrument, give a speech, swing a bat or golf club, take an exam, or offer comments at a meeting and you freeze up. You can’t remember anything. Read More

Julie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D., is a musician and psychoanalyst. She is a graduate of Juilliard, the University of Michigan, and the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute.

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