About

Bruce Steven Dolin, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist practicing in Beverly Hills, California.  He can be contacted at poptheworld at att.net.

Born in Chicago, Bruce Dolin’s first love was movies.  He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in literature and film, and then earned his M.F.A. at NYU graduate film school.  He directed television and wrote numerous screenplays before his travails in Hollywood helped him realize that his true voice, calling and passion was as a psychologist.  He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.  Dr. Dolin went to work in the trenches of non-profit mental health, working with group home kids, special needs kids and severely emotionally disturbed children in the “system.”  He also worked as a consultant at elite private schools and built a private practice in Beverly Hills where he particularly enjoys working with parents, as well as with writers, musicians, painters and sculptors.  Privilege of Parenting represents the distillation of nineteen years of clinical experience as a psychologist.  Dr. Dolin lives in Studio City, California with his wife of twenty years, the film curator Andrea Alsberg, and their sons Nate and Will, and also their rescued bulldog-boxer, Agnes.

In an age of managed care nightmares he is proud to be a member of zero health insurance panels.   Although he practices in Beverly Hills, Dr. Dolin maintains a commitment to giving back and offers sliding-fee treatment and a healthy amount of pro-bono work.  With his book, and with this blog, Dr. Dolin strives to share what he knows and make it more widely available to parents who might not otherwise gain access to the level of care and insight that he is able to offer his clients.

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

Jared September 4, 2009 at 3:07 am

Dear Dr. Dolin,
I really enjoyed reading your comment posted on NYT-online concerning how parents approach the issue of sleep with their infants. Thank you. I look forward to reading more of your posting on your blog.
with best regards,
Jared

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Alana January 26, 2010 at 11:36 pm

Oh yay! An aware parent who is also a psychologist. Keeping you on file for referral purposes – and very much enjoying the blog.

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Christine "Blisschick" Reed February 9, 2010 at 11:22 am

I keep meaning to come over here and thank you for the long and thoughtful comment you left on my post about traditional talk therapy. Finally…here I am, saying thank you. :)

What you write brings to mind something I was recently listening to — an Anthony De Mello talk. De Mello, I’m sure you know, was a Jesuit Priest and a psychotherapist. When he spoke of therapy, he said most people don’t want a cure, but rather, they simply want relief, and that’s about what therapy has to offer.

It reminded me so much of what you wrote on my blog. :)

I wonder…what differentiates the person who wants a cure from most people who simply want relief? This is a big question for me…one I don’t think can really be answered, though sometimes, I think that reincarnation can explain it a bit — but that is the ultimate NON answer, is it not? :)

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Matt Rhodes April 10, 2010 at 12:42 pm

Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and for your comment. I’ve learned that one of the great things about life – and parenting and religion and politics and all that that life entails – is the diversity of opinion that makes us all as unique as the things that we share. I’ve really enjoyed looking at your blog and have linked it to mine for future visits; I hope you’ll do the same!

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privilegeofparenting April 10, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Thanks for visiting me too, I’ll look forward to comparing notes as we go.

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chris white April 13, 2010 at 7:53 pm

hey bruce,
i have enjoyed your blog posts and comments on Essential Parenting. keep them all coming!
blessings

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privilegeofparenting April 13, 2010 at 7:57 pm

Thanks for that—I enjoy and appreciate your efforts to help parents via deeper thinking and particularly like the sense that we’re gathering toward a common ethic of caring about each other and all our kids.

Blessings to you too. Namaste

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Jennifer Gruskoff June 11, 2010 at 8:43 am

Hi Bruce,

I love the Abby Normal piece so much, and I am wondering if we could put it on Goodkin today? I would of course link it right back to you. Let me know if that would be something you’d be interested in.

Yours,
Jen

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privilegeofparenting June 11, 2010 at 4:48 pm

I’d be honored. Namaste, Bruce

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Barbra August 21, 2010 at 8:23 pm

I stumbled upon your blog this evening in a moment of needing a little parental support. My heartfelt thanks to you for sharing your experience and wisdom, I wish I would have found your site earlier and know now that I will be checking in often.

My son said he hated himself tonight and my heart sank. I found your post about when kids say they hate themselves and found the words that I needed to find encouragement, strength and wisdom, and the reminder to stop and listen. In the morning I will talk less and listen more.

With gratitude,
Barbra

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privilegeofparenting August 21, 2010 at 9:46 pm

Thank you so much for taking the time to share these kind words with me, I really appreciate them. Sending all good wishes, Bruce

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rebecca @ altared spaces December 21, 2011 at 9:57 am

I love the new site! Everything tidy and in places I can find it. Thank you.

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Lizbeth November 7, 2012 at 9:10 pm

Hi, mi name is Lizbeth and I have a 7 year old boy.
His dad and I separated almost 3 years ago and he has gone though lots of changes.
immediately after our separation I went back to school, I have nobody in this country all my family is back in my native country so I have gotten hard time myself trying to keep up with everything.
My son just started grade 2 and overall he is always a happy kid who likes jokes and mingle with other kids, he is active and likes playing sports with his classmates. Yesterday before going to bed after he had finished brushing his teeth he told me… ” I wish I die” I asked him if he knew what he had said and the reason he felt that; he answered ” I hate myself, I am so stupid and I don’t do anything right”. I tried to convince him of the opposite and I told him how much I love him, as well as I told him that he is a blessing in my life… His face was sad and he held his cry repeating several times the same sentence ” I hate myself ” I am scared and I don’t know how to help him.
Seeing my son’s little face caring all that pain, smashed my heart in thousand pieces; somehow I feel responsible for my son’s pain.
As I was looking for some information in regards this topic an something to help me to understand my son better, I stumble with this site. Please help me..
Thank you…

Sincerely,

Lizbeth

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Bruce November 9, 2012 at 8:07 am

Hi Lizbeth,

Welcome and thank you for reaching out to me for assistance. I have been writing about parenting in the hopes of being helpful to parents such as yourself.

My first two suggestions would be specific blog posts on the topics of self harm and how to understand this and intervene effectively. Please read the post and some of the comments and responses and, sadly, you will find that you and your boy are not alone on this topic. In fact, many thousands of parents have searched this very topic looking for similar help. This post is as follows:

http://bit.ly/cmL1jl

As for hating himself, please see this blog post:

http://bit.ly/aHntca

Finally, my book (which is different from the blog, more like a comprehensive guide to parenting) is also a way I have tried to gather all my parenting ideas into one place that takes you through step by step. While this one does cost something and the others are free, I have tried to make it well worth the investment.

http://bit.ly/w76zcY

Meanwhile, I offer you all very best wishes. Feel free to let me know how things go, as your feedback might help other parents and kids down the line

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