My first real job post-residency was being the clinician/administrator at a child psychiatry out-patient clinic at Children’s Hospital at Stanford. One of the privileges of working there was unlimited access to a black and white darkroom. Shifting from a day of words to images relaxed my brain, and my interest in photography blossomed. When digital photography made it possible to experiment without spending a fortune on film and slide developing, I started taking classes and taking more and more photographs.
My love of biology and the natural world were obvious places to explore capturing images. Macrophotography reminded me of falling in love with a microscope at age 10. And I loved seeing what I had never noticed.
After 35 years of practice and a sea change in how medicine operates, I am ready for some changes. This new project will focus on health and positive development rather than disease and illness. I believe my experience as a psychotherapist will aid me in life coaching others through transitions in their lives, and my experience with a variety of creative endeavors will help me direct others to realize their own creative potential.
I grew up in deep East Texas among rolling hills, tall pines, and people who loved telling stories. At an early age, I discovered that writing, playing music and guitar, and other creative pursuits were helpful ways to soothe oneself and cope with stresses.
After graduating from Rice University in 1971, I started medical school in San Antonio. After medical school, I did a residency in psychiatry and child psychiatry because I felt more freedom to be creative in that field than other aspects of medicine.
About Cathey Roberts, M.D.