Thanks for these in depth reflections on a specific dilemma. You said:
“Sometimes therapists fall into the trap of thinking all patients are capable of deeper self-reflection or “getting in touch” with feelings, and being able to state them, given enough encouragement or facilitating; this is true for some but not all.”
I think this is a big issue i have been discovering in my own work. I use mentalization based approaches which help address assumptions about the capacity to really connect and communicate emotions. As you say also, intellectual activity can function as a way to avoid doing this.
Thanks for these in depth reflections on a specific dilemma. You said:
“Sometimes therapists fall into the trap of thinking all patients are capable of deeper self-reflection or “getting in touch” with feelings, and being able to state them, given enough encouragement or facilitating; this is true for some but not all.”
I think this is a big issue i have been discovering in my own work. I use mentalization based approaches which help address assumptions about the capacity to really connect and communicate emotions. As you say also, intellectual activity can function as a way to avoid doing this.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.