Time & Other Thieves
Reflections and conversations on the nature of existence. Sarah B. explores philosophical, spiritual, and religious ideas as they're presented in various books.
In late July I will start leading Time & Other Thieves: The Group: A monthly discussion, meditation, and interpersonal process group. Both cohorts of the group will meet on Zoom, one on the last Tuesday of every month from 2–3:30, and the other on the last Wednesday of every month from 6–7:30 (both P.M. and EST). Take your pick! Email me for more info: sarahbsimpson@protonmail.com.
Time & Other Thieves
My Therapist Died: A Conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Axelbank
In this episode, I share parts of a conversation I recently had with psychotherapist and organizational consultant Dr. Jeffrey Axelbank. In July of 2025, Jeff was featured in a New York Times article by Ellen Berry titled "The Ghost in the Therapy Room," about therapists who die unexpectedly—or at least their patients don't expect it. These patients are deprived of saying goodbye and otherwise preparing themselves for a profound loss that tends to go unrecognized by society.
Jeff talks with me about his experience of such a loss, after having worked with the same psychoanalyst for 36 years, three sessions a week. He did not know she was dying of pancreatic cancer. He also discusses his earliest experience of psychotherapy, which he sought because he wanted help with a stutter, and about his work as a process group leader and an organizational consultant.
To any therapists listening: I hope this episode will inspire you to be communicative with your patients about your impending death, should you fall ill, and to create a professional will regardless of your age or health status, so that your patients will be better cared for in the event of your unexpected passing.
(If you'd like to listen to the Mount Eerie song I reference in the beginning, here is a Spotify link.)