New Yorkers are notably fascinated with a variety of therapies that help them cope with their hectic schedules, demanding lifestyle choices, and often complicated relationships that the city stimulates. As a result, New York counts a disproportionate number of psychotherapists, self-improvement instructors, life coaches, and the like that host intriguing sessions in equally fascinating spaces around the city. In his temporary clinic, Sanatorium (installed as the first edition of stillspotting nyc in Brooklyn), artist Pedro Reyes combines the best of New York’s existing therapy landscape with unexpected, short, experimental treatments. In two-hour windows, Sanatorium visitors experience up to three sessions from a roster of sixteen special “urban therapies.” Upon arrival, visitors will meet a receptionist who will assign the “therapies.” Balancing reality and parody, Sanatorium draws from Gestalt psychology, theater warm-up exercises, Fluxus events, conflict resolution techniques, trust-building games, corporate coaching, psychodrama, and hypnosis. While some of the sessions should be experienced alone, others are specifically catered to couples and larger groups.

Sanatorium, 345 Jay St at Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, June 2-5 & June 9-12