Proust questionnaire: Marietta Van Den Berg, MBChB

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 53, No. 3, April 2011, Page 150 Proust for Physicians
By: Marietta Van Den Berg, MBChB,


Dr Van Den Berg is a psychiatrist practising in Surrey, British Columbia.

What profession might you have pursued, if not medicine?
Mathematician, editor, or librarian.

Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to open my mouth and sing powerfully and beautifully.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Staying sane.

Who are your heroes?
My grandmother; my patients who get up every morning and face another day despite adversity.

What is your greatest fear?
Some harm coming to my children.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
The fact that I have to work so hard to feel good enough.

What characteristic do your favorite patients share?
Hope.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I am uncomfortable with the concept of “perfect.” As close as possible would be my whole family around a table under the trees eating lunch, talking, and drinking wine.

What is your favorite activity?
Reading story books.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Let’s take a step back.

What medical advance do you most anticipate?
Psychiatric medication with fewer side effects.

What is your most marked characteristic?
Energy.

On what occasion do you lie?
I don’t lie, I embellish.

What do you most value in your colleagues?
Hard work, transparency, honesty.

Who are your favorite writers?
Depends on who I am reading at present; Wally Lamb, Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Joanna Trollope.

What is your greatest regret?
Waiting until 30 before going into psychotherapy.

How would you like to die?
As an old lady, in my own bed.

What is your motto?
I have a few: Just because I can, does not mean I have to. Do first, apologize later. When in doubt, push harder.

Marietta Van Den Berg, MBChB,. Proust questionnaire: Marietta Van Den Berg, MBChB. BCMJ, Vol. 53, No. 3, April, 2011, Page(s) 150 - Proust for Physicians.


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Khadijah Davies says: reply

I saw Dr Van Den Berg in 2016 or 2017 I. Surrey. She was a delight and pleasure to work with. I subsequently moved to Vancouver and the way the mental health system is set up I am unable to continue seeing her. I feel that my heath would be much better if I was still in her care. She’s that awesome

Drew Mackenzie ... says: reply

I was a patient of Dr Van Den Berg’s in 2009/2010. Although we, metaphorically, bumped heads a few times I have the utmost of respect for this Doc and how she helped me. I’m returning to South Fraser mental health ten years later as someone living in remission. Hope to see her again!

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