99. Is Therapeutic Neutrality a Thing of the Past? with Christine Sefein and David Teachout
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- In my second returning guests group chat, I delve into the complex world of therapy with colleagues David Teachout and Christine Sefein. We explore the concept of therapeutic neutrality and its relevance in today's therapy landscape. Is therapy dead? How are therapists able to maintain neutrality in an age of biases and cultural influences? And what are the limits to neutrality?
We discuss the ethical obligation of therapists to disclose their opinions and biases to clients. How does this disclosure impact the therapeutic relationship and the client's journey towards healing?
We touch on the delicate balance between safety and challenge in therapy, highlighting the importance of creating a space where clients feel secure yet encouraged to grow. What happens when clients bring in past experiences that shape their perceptions of therapy? How do therapists navigate these preconceptions and build trust with their clients?
The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we address the ethical implications of therapists having a public presence. How does being Googleable impact the therapeutic relationship? And what are the boundaries and responsibilities of therapists in the digital age? Join us as we unravel these thought-provoking questions and explore the evolving landscape of therapy in today's world. Tune in to discover the answers to these compelling inquiries and gain insights into the intricate world of therapy.
Christine Sefein Wolk, LMFT, is a US-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in grief and trauma work. She has experience in various settings including residential facilities, outpatient treatment, and private practice. Christine has held positions such as Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor. As Teaching Faculty at Antioch University, she discusses the ideological capture of therapy training in her book chapter in Cynical Therapies: Perspectives on the Anti-therapeutic Nature of Critical Social Justice (amzn.to/42Z67JU). She is also a co-host on the Critical Therapy Antidote Podcast, exploring psychological trends with fascinating guests. @ctapodcast
CTA: sometherapist.com/cta
David Teachout is a mental health therapist and photographer, exploring the link between creativity and mental flexibility. Previously a Christian fundamentalist, he now embraces a diverse understanding of humanity. With masters degrees in forensic psychology and counseling, he is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. Visit his blog and podcast at www.lifeweavings.com/ and humanitysvalues.com/
Books mentioned:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: amzn.to/3uVxd8k
Cynical Therapies: Perspectives on the Anti-therapeutic Nature of Critical Social Justice: amzn.to/42Z67JU
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[00:00:00] Is therapeutic neutrality dead?
[00:05:27] Therapeutic Neutrality and Informed Consent.
[00:10:27] The relevance of childhood in therapy.
[00:14:42] Trauma and resilience in therapy.
[00:19:24] Victim mindset vs resilience mentality.
[00:22:50] Chronic illness and social perception.
[00:25:35] The Just World fallacy and fear of mortality.
[00:31:45] The elements of therapeutic relationship.
[00:33:45] Therapeutic relationship boundaries.
[00:37:27] Trauma-dumping in therapy and relationships.
[00:40:57] Depth vs brief therapy and the medical model.
[00:42:02] The impact of prior experiences on transference.
[00:46:07] Gender-affirming care for minors.
[00:49:09] Public presence and perceptions.
[00:52:21] Assumptions about the therapist.
[00:55:26] Therapy versus consultation.
[01:03:33] Porn addiction and attraction.
[01:04:47] Porn addiction debate.
[01:09:04] Therapy and criticism.
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I'm glad that you're mentioning chronic illness issues lingering after Covid - I wish there were answers, or even acknowlegement of how much this affects some of us.
This was an absolutely fascinating discussion.
"Lived experience" can also just be a convenient, useful lie.
I think David is right; he's not a good fit for therapy. I felt like I was being angrily lectured every time he opened his mouth. I also understand that his style would be perfect for some people. I felt like he was sneaking Buddhist philosophy in without being clear about what he was doing. I know that most people would not want their therapist to sneak Christianity in, and I feel the same way about any religious ideology, even the sacred cow, Buddhism. I am interested in his ideas about Bessel vdK, another sacred cow (and we could add Gabor M to that list), although he was not mentioned, however he, too, obsessively sees everything through the childhood trauma lens.
I agree with Stephanie about how people project their fear of mortality and lack of control onto the chronically ill. Of course they don't admit to it; it's not even conscious (plus, it sounds really bad if you say it out loud). Research into grief shows that people living with the death of a loved one are more often than not disappointed by how abandoned they feel by people they thought would be there for them. I have a chronically ill friend and her friends have been avoiding her since her condition worsened, and my friend whose husband was killed last year has found the same thing. We can know what people are thinking by getting them to reflect on what their behaviour means. David seemed to be inferring that we can never know the mind of another. In my experience that's far from the truth, but you need a gentle, holding presence to make it safe enough for them to share their thoughts…
Thank you for your comment. In reference to "never knowing the mind of another," I do in fact believe that. At best, through the, as you put it, holding presence, or co-creating the space for safe dialogue, we can approach an increasingly better approximation of the other person, but there will always be a gap because we are not them. We don't read minds so much as listen, interpret, and act on those interpretations in, hopefully, a way of understanding that the other person agrees with. However, we're always going to be wrong, even if only ignorant, all the time, hence the need for continued dialogue and a desire to further know the other.
I suspect the need for therapy is like the need for orthodontia ~ a product of hypermodernity, a way of mitigating problems we shouldn't have but that are induced by modern living. Soft foods for kids prevent the proper development of our jaws, dysfunctional social relationships prevent the proper development of our psyches.
Comments don't appear to be 'sticking' on ep. 100 with Ms. Clark. Or, maybe it's just me? 🐿
All comments have to await approval, that’s all.
@@sometherapist Ah. very well. Thanks for sharing Stephanie. I reckon it's a necessary precaution. 🐿
Maybe you haven't noticed, but we Americans aren't getting the job to show up for and do anymore. Maybe that has something to do with it... no?
Porn is a dangerous combination of a bandsaw, wood chipper, and arc welder - it's an exciting, but dangerous tool that should be handled with caution.
More male therapists, plz.
An issue of representation that is rarely if ever mentioned. At present mental health profession is over 70% female, and the number is higher when it's only master's level therapists.
My son is currently in school to be a therapist, and he’s going to be amazing! I’m so excited for all the men who will get to work with him.
That said, the vast majority of his cohort is female. I do think it’s an issue, agreeing that more men are needed in this field.