Northfield Psychological Services - Donald Handlang PsyD., LP

I decided to study clinical psychology, and specifically psychological testing, when I was almost 50. One of our children was having a very difficult time in school, and one of the teachers suggested a psychological evaluation. That process was life changing for our family. It was as if the psychologist gave my wife and I glasses so that we could see our child more clearly and appreciate and nurture his individuality. This is the experience I strive to provide to my clients and their families. I offer therapy and comprehensive psychological evaluations (AD/HD & ASD) for children, adolescents, adults, and families. My work is guided by the belief that each of us is born with a blueprint for our unique personality, interests, and potential, what Carl Jung called “The Self.” As young children, our lives depend upon the love and acceptance of our parents, peers, and teachers provide. Our radiant full personality is gradually dimmed as we hide or repress parts of ourselves to avoid rejection and shame. Poet Robert Bly describes an “invisible bag” we unconsciously drag behind us, filled with the traits and qualities others discouraged in us. Over time, this bag grows heavier, and the suppressed parts of our personalities demand attention, through dreams, fantasies, and attractions, as well as symptoms like anxiety, depression, or somatic complaints. I strive to create a nurturing space and a therapeutic relationship to identify, understand, and begin to reintegrate these unconscious parts of ourselves, My goal is to help clients navigate life’s challenges and begin to embody what Robert Bly called our “365 degree” radiant, authentic personality.