Psychologist: Brinkley, Cook Need Therapy
Court-Appointed Doc In Divorce Trial Suggests Both Parties Get Help
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Christie Brinkley arrives at New York State Supreme Court for the beginning of her divorce trial against Peter Cook Wednesday, July 2, 2008, in Central Islip, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Dr. Stephen Herman, questioned by the children's attorney, Theresa Mari, said the former Sports Illustrated model needs therapy as "an outlet for her anger and feeling of betrayal" by her unfaithful husband.
He said Brinkley, who's been married four times, also "needs to start working on deeper issues" including "her choice of male figures."
Herman met 11 times with the parents, their 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.
He said Peter Cook is a "narcissist" who constantly needs to have his insatiable ego fed. The architect "needs constant reassurance that he is a terrific guy," Herman said in a psychological report.
The psychologist said shared custody "is not at all a viable option." But he later agreed during cross examination that both "Christie and Peter have done a superb job of being parents." And he said Cook should be involved in his children's lives - for instance, caring for them if their mother is away on business.
Brinkley also has a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, with the musician Billy Joel. The 22-year-old testified that Cook picked on her and once shoved her head into a bucket of water after she showered too long and caused a plumbing problem.
Before the scandal, Brinkley described Cook to an interviewer as "just the greatest father."
The primary focus of the trial has been on Cook's teenage mistress and his Internet sex activities. He has apologized for both.
The court heard testimony last week from Cook, 49, and Diana Bianchi, who was 18 during their affair. Cook said he gave Bianchi a $300,000 payoff, had trysts with her in his office and Brinkley's Hamptons homes, and spent thousands of dollars on online pornography.
Infidelity was "certainly the immediate cause" of the marriage's collapse, said Herman, "but I think there were problems before."
Herman said adults should be able to engage in Internet sex if the activities occur in total privacy, without the children finding out.
By Frank Eltman
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."





Where was all his parenting skills when he forced his stepdaughter''s head in a bucket of water while she was stark naked? Where is it, when he goes porn happy and when he chases teenagers. Save it, the man is a sexxxx addict and he needs lotion for the masturbation calluses on his hand and maybe a huge blow up doll--HE might need therapy--she needs to dump this loser--the courts need to reward him with NOTHING so that next time he gets a gravy train, he stays for dinner and does not go rooting through garbage to sup.
Posted by fervan at 06:57 PM : Jul 08, 2008
You got that right! Nowadays if your cat dies it''s round after round of grief therapy and heart-to-hearts with anyone who will listen about how much Precious meant to you. In contrast, a few decades ago it was just a short trip to a hole dug in the backyard. Some people do need therapy, but for many it''s bandied about like this panacea for any problem you may have. What most people really need to do is undergo a critical self-analysis of their behaviour and then to dig up the resolve not to be such a f**k up in the future. But... it''s easier to yack with a therapist and blame it all on your upbringing. It''s not the X generation or Y generation - it''s the "woe is me" generation.
Too many women think marriage will make them happy.
"When I get married, I''ll be happy. It will give me meaning & vaildation. Someone loves me enough to marry me!"
How many husband a woman needeth
to know that she is not right upstairs
no psychologist needed
to know that she has fallen downstairs
into the dungeon of marriage life - gone - bad
Poor little rich girl
once an uptown girl
now, not even a downtown girl
can be said, of this, down - and - out girl
again, the dungeon of marriage life - gone - bad.
- by shanev137 July 8, 2008 6:54 PM EDT
- I hear the 5th time is the charm.
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