Posted by Daisym on July 12, 2011, at 22:28:16
In reply to Re: Techniques, posted by emmanuel98 on July 12, 2011, at 20:25:32
I'm sure I've raised an eye brow or two when I've commented on the "therapy manual" - I know my own therapist has bristled at those comments. Once he told me, "I'm sure there are phrases in your work that you frequently use too." This is very true and it helped me stop watching for his "mistakes" and relax more. I find when I'm relaxed he uses less of those pat phrases, which tells me it is easier to be real with someone less defensive.
I've been thinking about this a lot today and I've decided the technique I probably hate the most is "reality testing." We learned it in school - it is a way of questioning a stated belief to see how entrenched it is and what the evidence for the belief is. It is effective but in my own head I want to scream, "I know I'm being irrational, or using black/white thinking. But leave it alone, it is working for me!" Ug.
I guess what I was trying to say was that I have no problem with "techniques" when they are honestly talked about and presented as tools. But overall, it is the relationship and the genuine caring of the therapist that creates lasting change and benefit.
poster:Daisym
thread:990825
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20110706/msgs/990876.html