How Do I Treat Myself? Reflections from a PAU Alum and Therapist
When Dr. Beth-Anne Blue graduated from Palo Alto University in 1995, her class of 50 students had a unique opportunity. Every graduate was given a few moments to say some words to the audience…thank their family, particular professors, colleagues, classmates, mentors, etc. However, the freshly-hooded Dr. Blue was one of two graduates in that class of 50 who did not speak, which was a decision made on behalf of her extreme social anxiety. Her desire to change her shyness, and her personal life experiences are just two of the many reasons that led her to write the book, Pearls and Purse Straps: ... or How a Shrink "Shrinks" Herself, which was released on April 8th, 2025.
After working at Duke University, the University of Florida, and other higher education institutions, Dr. Blue is now the Clinical Director and Associate Director of the Counseling and Wellness Center at the New College of Florida, in Sarasota. Her extensive work as a therapist for over 20 years has brought her in touch with many different clients, and herself. Now, she is out of her chair and on the couch…her own couch, and hopes the readers are paying attention!
Blue notes that writing a book based on personal experiences can be scary, as can therapy. “This is no different than what we ask of our clients,” she notes, but her process of sharing has been made less scary because she has always maintained transparency with her clients. She invites them to get to know her while she gets to know them, and now invites a larger audience to learn about her, and her life-altering experiences as well.
Pulling out many years of notes and various chapters she had written for other books that were stuffed in various drawers of various desks and journals, this book is a compilation of lessons learned. Only this time, Blue is applying them to how she would treat herself if she were her own client.
The “takeaways,” or “prescriptive ‘one-liners’” at the end of each chapter are applicable to almost anyone. She is hopeful that they will be helpful to other therapists, in addition to anyone hoping to learn more about themselves. “This book is an honest look into my life,” Blue states. With topics ranging from personal tragedy to funny family dynamics, Blue hopes the book reads as “quirky, funny and heartfelt.” She states that people who know her and read it “come away feeling they didn’t know her as well as they thought.” Other readers may relate to her emotional experiences and lessons she has learned. “People will get out of it whatever rings true for them,” Blue surmises.
When asked what advice she would give to other therapists and especially PAU’s newest alumni, she strongly emphasizes the value of being present in each and every moment. She asks others to consider: “Live for today, not tomorrow, and certainly not yesterday. Play the short game, because the long game keeps changing.” She sees her willingness to be present, through the good times and bad, as one of her greatest strengths and gifts to her clients, as they get 100% of her for the hour they’re together. And where else do we get that?