Posted by pegasus on April 17, 2004, at 17:48:57
In reply to the inconsistent therapist « paltiel, posted by Dr. Bob on April 17, 2004, at 11:02:41
The part of my own therapy experience that your request makes me think of are the tiny little inconsistencies that are inherent in therapy. For example, the therapist attempts to create an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard and caring, but then watches the clock, and requires payment. So, the caring and regard obviously are conditional at least with regard to time and money. In my experience this is rarely acknowledged, and rather confusing, although understandable from a practical point of view.
Or, here's another example: It's acknowledged by everyone involved in therapy that the relationship between therapist and client is critical, and building a sense of trust within that relationship is perhaps the most important job in therapy. But then, therapists move, they get sick, they change their practice, they cross boundaries, and clients move, lose faith in therapy, find other therapists, etc. So, in reality, none of us can be trusted to stick it out. And yet, we persist in seeing the development of client-therapist attachment and trust as a unquestionably positive thing.
Stuff like this is what gets to me.
pegasus
poster:pegasus
thread:337151
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040409/msgs/337236.html