Be Angry but Assertive

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by rachelhofer in Drama and Counseling

Cinderella expresses anger at the clock tower telling her what to do just like her step-sisters and step-mother. Anna Freud might call this a defense mechanism, ‘displacement’, and it definitely serves its purpose in handling anger if used appropriately! Sigmund Freud referred to ‘sublimation’, a spiritual redirection or displacement that “serves a higher cultural or socially useful purpose, as in the creation of art or inventions.”

In response to the step-sister’s mocking her she stands up for her rights. “Well, Why not? After all I’m still a member of the family. And it says by Royal command every eligible maiden is to attend.”

Without the communication skills, assertive behavior, a lot of patience and humility, we can only imagine how Cinderella would respond to such abuse. It actually might make for an entertaining comedy or tradgedy in another version of “Cinderella II.”

Assertiveness is the ability to express yourself, your rights, and maintain dignity without violating the rights or dignity of others.

“The vices that make good theater are intolerable in life, and the banality of goodness on stage is no argument against the virtues.” Simone Weil

For more info from Rachel Hofer check www.lovingtherapy.com

Counselors’ Confront Issues in New DSM

08 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by rachelhofer in DSM

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Read the full article from Psychology Today Magazine here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dsm5-in-distress/201111/counselors-turn-against-dsm-5

“Definition of Mental Disorder. The DSM-5 Task Force has proposed a new definition of mental disorder which includes, “A behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual that reflects an underlying psychobiological dysfunction” (APA, 2011). Using the term psychobiological implies that all mental disorders have an underlying biological component. Although advances in neuroscience have greatly enhanced our understanding of psychopathology, the current science does not fully support a biological connection for all mental disorders. We therefore request that the definition of mental disorder be amended to indicate that mental disorders may not have a biological component.”

“Although the DSM-5 Task Force has described its development process as “open, transparent and free of bias” (Kupfer & Regier, 2009, p. 40), all work group members were required to sign confidentiality agreements that prohibit them from divulging information about the DSM-5 process, even after it is published.”

For more info from Rachel Hofer check www.lovingtherapy.com

Boundaries & Codependency

07 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by rachelhofer in Addiction

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When we take on responsibilities that belong to others we can take on anxiety and stress that affect our health and ability to help those in ways that empower them. We forfeit healthy relationships. Sometimes helping others can be stressful and burdensome, but when we are hurting ourselves rather than excercising our ability, losing our ability to be helpful, or are enabling someone to be irresponsible we need become aware of our motives and to stop. This is something everyone struggles with and for some people it is a chronic issue related to “codependency”.

“What’s a codependent? The answer is easy. They’re some of the most loving, caring people I know.” Lonny Owen

Some of the oppressive rules of codependency from the book Beyond Codependency by Melody Beattie (p. 16)

-Don’t feel or talk about feelings
-Don’t think
-Don’t identify, talk about, or solve problems
-Don’t be who you are-be good, right, strong, and perfect
-Don’t be selfish-take care of others and neglect yourself
-Don’t be vulnerable
-Don’t be direct
-Don’t get close to people
-Don’t grow, change, or in any way rock the family’s boat

And some of the core beliefs:

-I’m not lovable
-I don’t deserve good things
-I’ll never succeed