Won’t You Be My Neighbor – Documentary Review – HPP 49

Keith Kurlander, MA, LPC

Mr. Rogers teaches us many beautiful lessons: that you are special the way you are, that we must respect the inner experience of a child, and that children ask very big questions if we are willing to listen. He had a capacity to delve into the inner life of a child and how much their world can enrich the lives of everyone. But that wasn’t the only side of Mr. Rogers.

In his documentary, you get to glimpse into the complex nature of this individual and what inspired him to inspire an entire generation of children. Keith discusses both the benefits and limitations of the Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and why this documentary is so relevant to every therapist.

Show Notes:

Who is Mr. Rogers? [2:15]

Mr. Roger’s approach towards using media for educational purposes [2:45]

Importance of respecting children and learning from them [6:15]

Using questions asked by children to enrich your life [6:30]

How some television shows are hurting childrens’ growth process [10:15]

Respecting the inner-experience of a child [14:00]

Significance behind exposing many aspects of who you are [16:00]

Keith Kurlander, MA, LPC

Keith Kurlander is the founder of Higher Practice, a company dedicated to helping therapists achieve their highest potential in private practice. He has two decades of combined experience in business administration, group facilitation, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, yoga instruction and as a licensed professional counselor in private practice.