I see that everyone is agreeing with me that this will be a very easy case! Joseph entered treatment testing from the first second and I bet he didn't stop for a breath. It seems he had no choice as his sensitivity to criticism and shame was exquisite. He must know right from the get go whether or nor Steve will shame and humiliate him as his father did. We see him miss his first appointment. This is a perfect chance to determine how his new therapist will respond to his forgetfulness. Steve took a very casual approach and this appeared to allow Joseph to precede to tell his story. Joseph was vague, tangential and confusing yet Steve found a way to be sympathetic. I think this is a tribute to the patient's kernel of health and Steve's capacity for empathy. He doesn't sound sympathetic to me! Steve used his belief that patient's having plans for what they want to accomplish in treatment to guide his understanding of Joseph. He made some pretty complex hypothesis about Joseph's possible motivations that would also guide his work with him. His interpretation that Joseph acted out of kindness appeared to create an empathic bond between the two of them that allowed Joseph to reveal that in fact his father did always call him a moron. A treatment has begun. It does seem that there will be many tricky roads ahead and I agree with Don that the success of the treatment will rest upon Steve's handling of Joseph's tests around shame and humiliation. And I bet they will not be simple and straight forward!
Replies:
|
| Behavior OnLine Home Page | Disclaimer |
Copyright © 1996-2004 Behavior OnLine, Inc. All rights reserved.