The Origins of the Modern Cello

A psychotherapist in private practice for nearly 45 years, Robin Ohringer lives and works in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Outside of the professional environment, Robin Ohringer is an avid amateur cello player.

In addition to being an essential component of orchestras and chamber ensembles everywhere, the cello is a solo instrument of choice for a great number of composers. Before Antonio Stradivari popularized the instrument in the late 17th century, however, the cello was largely unknown in the world of music.

In the first half of the 16th century, instrument makers began to experiment with violin-like stringed instruments in attempts to get them to generate strong tones in lower registers. This process led to the production of larger and larger instruments that ultimately became too large to hold in the arms. These instruments included the viola da gamba, which had sloped shoulders similar to a string bass, and the violincello, which would ultimately evolve into the modern cello. Most historians credit the invention of the modern cello to early 16th century instrument maker Andrea Amati, who solidified the cello form into the one that is widely used and enjoyed today.

Understanding Mental Health and Infertility

Dr. Robin Ohringer has more than 40 years of experience working as a psychotherapist. In her private practice, Dr. Robin Ohringer has worked with all age groups. She is experienced in psychodynamic, relational, mind-body stress reduction, play therapy, family systems, and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. She has a particular interest in treating women between the ages of 18 and 45 who are experiencing mental health issues, and frequently works with women facing obstacles like infertility, miscarriage, or parenting as a single mother.

Infertility issues can often have a profound impact on a woman’s mental and emotional health. It’s common for stress to occur as a result of infertility struggles, but there are many other mental health issues that can arise related to infertility.

1. Social isolation is a common occurrence for couples struggling with infertility. Many tend to self-isolate from situations that might trigger feelings of anxiety or depression surrounding the struggle to conceive. This can cause social relationships with friends and even family members to deteriorate, and it can also cause significant relationship strain with your partner.

2. Financial stress cannot be overlooked when discussing the psychological effects of infertility. With financial issues still presenting as a leading factor in divorce, the potential effects on the relationship must be considered when couples seek expensive infertility treatments. Even couples with health insurance may find out-of-pocket costs to be prohibitively high.

3. Grief, anxiety, and depression are extremely common for couples dealing with infertility. When told you may never have a child of your own, even with medical intervention, a normal reaction is to grieve for that loss. Anxiety levels may be higher when trying to conceive, since couples often experience questions and unwanted advice from others. Depression, both for men and women dealing with infertility, is also quite common, though there is still not enough evidence to indicate that depression or anxiety could cause infertility.

What is EMDR?

An experienced psychotherapist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Robin Ohringer is particularly adept at treating women aged 18 to 45 who are dealing with mental health issues. Dr. Robin Ohringer utilizes a number of techniques in her treatments, including mind-body relaxation, mindfulness, play therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Developed with the intent of relieving distress resulting from trauma, EMDR involves bilateral stimulation to reduce negative emotions associated with trauma. Instead of talk therapy and medication, EMDR utilizes a patient’s rapid, rhythmic eye movements to reduce the impact of highly emotional and negative memories of traumatic events.

During an EMDR session, the therapist will move their fingers back and forth in front of a patient’s face, asking the patient to follow the movements while recalling a disturbing event. The therapist then guides the patient to shift to more positive thoughts. Over time, patients report less anxiety and a weakened effect of negative emotions. While EMDR has not been evaluated in large-scale studies, it is considered a safe therapy with no potential negative side effects.

The Unique Features and Qualities of the Cello

 

Cello
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An experienced psychotherapist and clinical social worker in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Robin Ohringer has headed her own private practice since 1974. When she isn’t working, Dr. Robin Ohringer enjoys playing the cello.

A member of the violin family, the cello (or violincello) evolved throughout the 19th century to emerge as a key component of orchestras and chamber ensembles as well as one of the most important bowed instruments for solo compositions. This instrument features all the same components as the violin and viola but is far larger in size and produces notes in a significantly lower sonic register. The Vienna Symphonic Library describes the sound of the cello as warm, mellow, and sonorous.

The cello also differs from both the violin and the viola in terms of playing approach. First and foremost, the cello bow is slightly shorter and 25 percent heavier than the violin bow. Cello players also employ different fingering techniques, many of which involve the use of the thumb.

Unlike smaller classical stringed instruments, the cello makes playing while standing extremely difficult. For this reason, the standard playing position for the cello is seated with the instrument situated between the legs.