Posted by Dinah on February 1, 2008, at 9:44:23
In reply to ferapists dat emfantalises dems patients is POOPY, posted by zazenducke on February 1, 2008, at 8:25:39
I think it may be a matter of perspective that varies, even in the therapeutic community. What one therapist sees as infantalizing, another may see as nurturing. And a client's response and how it affects them might be quite different too.
I think therapists should act with forethought and with regard to professional rules. I think they should constantly be aware of how their actions can affect their clients, and how their individual client is in fact reacting.
It's hard to judge those things long distance. I know I have said things here, and revealed things here, that would be greatly at odds with how I present myself in my real life. I've expressed vulnerability and dependence that would have, at one time, surprised even my therapist. It's easy, in a forum that is seen as supportive and nurturing itself, to allow the most vulnerable parts of us to show. And we're also seeing snapshots, not the relationship in its entirety.
I guess my position is one of someone who went through it and is on my way out. It worked out fine in my case, and has been much to my advantage. I realize it isn't always so. But I realize that at some point in my posting I would have at least been seen as infantalizing myself in therapy, even if my therapist wasn't seen as infantalizing me. It did work out ok. I did learn and grow, will I or nill I.
poster:Dinah
thread:810038
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080126/msgs/810053.html