Posted by pej on January 17, 1999, at 11:13:57
In reply to Answering questions, posted by Dr. Bob on January 17, 1999, at 2:04:20
> > > > So, Toby, will you settle this for us or not?
> > > Regrettably, no.
> > Why the mystery? Why should this be a
> > secret? Your unwillingness to answer the
> > question, your lack of forthrightness and
> > honesty, should raise a few flags in some
> > people's mind, as it does in mine.
> One thing about this online world, there aren't pat answers here.
> It's natural to want it to conform to the "real" world, in which it would be clear what gender we were. Usually, anyway. :-)
> The National Board for Certified Counselors was one of the first groups to propose standards for "web counseling". Their current version is at:
> http://www.nbcc.org/ethics/wcstandards.htm
> Under item 7, they do say that:
> >WebCounselors may wish to ensure that, minimally, the
> >WebClient has the same data available about his/her service
> >provider as would be available if the counseling were to take place
> >face to face (i.e., possibly ethnicity, gender, etc.). Compelling
> >reasons for limiting disclosure should be presented.
> I'd like to point out, however, that they probably wouldn't consider exchanges here to be "web counseling". But still.
> OTOH, does this in fact need to be like the "real" world? The ability to be genderless is certainly one of the attractions of the Internet.
> I don't know.
> Some people will be more comfortable with an ambiguous person than others. If you're not comfortable not knowing more about someone, then you might not want to listen to them. Caveat emptor, as they say.
> I do think professional qualifications, however, are relevant. I was disappointed that no one responded to my post a long time ago on this. It's not too late :-) it's still at:
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/199809/msgs/604.html
> Bob>>Although Toby has been generous with answers that, I for one appreciate, this is a little odd.
After seeing several psychologists and psychiatrists over the years, I have a general observation. Psychologists could be a little more understanding about meds and psychiatrists
could learn more than a little about communications. I've seen more than a few psychiatrists who could use some good talk therapy!
Whether on the internet or not, honesty is always the most important issue between people.
I now hold the opinion that Toby could use some time on the couch. Phil(not Phyllis)
poster:pej
thread:2364
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990101/msgs/2457.html