Lilah,
I think we agree about the term 'contextually', although we are able to construe our meaning differently.
My initial response to Tom's message was related to psychotherapy and his question of why was there a paucity of theory of disability and psychotherapy.
When relating this to psychotherapy, I suggest that my thoughts are as applicable to all people whether or not they have the experience of having an impairment.
Contextually for me means the person individually in relation to the environment. In this respect the environment can mean for example the culture and community in which the person lives.
If a person feels valued and is valued then all is well in the culture and community. However if a person does not feel valued and the culture or community devalues the person by 'social indifference' or' stigmatising' or whatever sublimated form of marg
inalising a society defensively projects
onto the non conformists, then I feel that the society which does this is a society that fails to understand another's contextual experience and is a society which does not reflect and change to meet and accomodate the needs of its members.
The example you offered of the Lakota people (Native American), spells out what a healthy community is. You make me think back to my childhood when I was always fascinated by the generousity of spirit American Indians appeared to have (although I confess
my source of information was the movies). As a child I always dreamed of being an Indian, never a cowboy!!!! (no intended offence to cowboys). However I wonder if the Lakota People are as content now as their ancestors were in the USA...before the rise
of capitalism with its imposition of materialism and profit driven stratagies.
Out of interest, do the Lakota people use psychotherapy or counselling, would they consider this form of therapy as useful or necessary? I have a feeling the answer will be no, but that is ppurely a guess on my part or perhaps a hope that their own natu
ral wisdom continues to talk them through their journey of life.
My problem with some therapists in the world of counselling and psychotherapy is that there often is a tendency to interpret and direct a client rather than an empathic listener who engages in a reciprocity of understanding which matures into healthy gro
wth for both involved in the interaction. The former to me is no more than gatekeeping of the therapists own values and perhaps even gatekeeping of existing status quo thinking; the former the more effective way of exploring, discovering and clarifying w
ays of living more resourcefully.
regards,
Joseph.
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