Posted by JenStar on August 11, 2004, at 1:20:34
In reply to Re: technical questions » JenStar, posted by Dinah on August 7, 2004, at 21:49:44
hi Dinah,
I agree with you about Gaylin's message - it IS about the therapeutic relationship. Overall I found his book to be very interesting and I though his technique of relating seemed very solid.At the end of the book he included a segment on how to get past people's blocks and self-imposed neuroses. An example he used was the 'wall of fat' -- he discussed (without ANY disclaimers) that obese people have chosen obesity, and to help them slim down, you have to address the reasons they chronically overeat.
This is one of my hot buttons, because I think to some people the addiction to food is akin to an alcohol or tobacco addiction, and although there are MANY psychological components to eating (comfort, fear, etc.) there may also be biological reasons too. It doesn't mean that we should all sit on our butts and say "I'm fat and there's nothing I can do about it!" but I did think his assessment of obesity was pat and smug and not entirely correct.
Anyway, although I had enjoyed his book and found it informative, when I read THAT section my defenses went up and I got all irritated at him. It was kind of like enjoying a wonderful salad and then finding a roach at the bottom of the bowl!
-- although, now that I think about it, I probably SHOULD be having more salads and less doritos...then I won't get so incensed by 'wall of fat' comments...
!!!
Thanks for listening to me gripe.
Jen(Fat) Star
poster:JenStar
thread:374592
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040805/msgs/376281.html