Posted by Penny on January 20, 2004, at 10:34:47
In reply to Re: Tests and scales, Dinah and Penny, posted by gardenergirl on January 20, 2004, at 8:49:56
> Penny, are you planning to become a mental health professional? Good for you for using your empathy in everyday situations. I tend to forget sometimes, until I remind myself to step back and ask myself, "how would I treat this person if he/she were a client?"
I am planning to get my MSW and become a child therapist - at least, that's the plan for right now.
It's hard to not let your own emotions/thoughts/feelings get too tied in when dealing with other people. I can't always put myself in the other person's shoes, but, especially when dealing with people I find difficult, I try to see it from their perspective. And I, personally, think this is an important skill to have when dealing with people with mental illness. I know none of us are perfect, and I know that we can't always see things from another's point of view, but at least if we can recognize that perhaps we aren't being objective enough when dealing with certain others...well, I guess I think it allows you to empathize with others. It's something I especially do with children - because it's hard sometimes to remember what it was like being a child!
And it frustrates me that there are mental health 'professionals' out there - like some of them that those of us on this board have dealt with! - who don't even recognize their inability to empathize with others as a shortcoming! ARGH!!!
P
poster:Penny
thread:303027
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040116/msgs/303208.html