Posted by garnet71 on June 18, 2009, at 21:15:19
In reply to Re: Please follow site guidelines, posted by BirdSong on June 18, 2009, at 20:24:20
Thanks for all the great information; nothing you said to me sounds condescending, although I have already learned about many of those concepts you explained.
I guess one distinction is these doctors are certified psychoanalysts, but this one I know has adopted and integrated other eclectic approaches (i.e. psychodynamic therapy). The integration of theory is interesting, as little as I know about it. But I think the old school psychoanalyictic theories are still behind the clinical views of practice despite the integration. That's a sign of a good doctor too, willing to change based upon new research and new methods. But I would guess one's training and education does stick with them.
Some have implied that transference and the attachment, especially at the level I experienced it, is unhealthy; both here and what I've seen on other support forums, reseach papers, mental health blogs, etc.; perhaps I mixed up something you said with that of someone else.
The quick/intense attachment was due to trusting him 100%, the safety I felt with him, the immediate sense of connection due to something unrealated, his skill level, and my decision to quit carrying the burden of my medical care and mental health issues, but rather, this time, allow myself to let it go - with complete faith that another human being, a gifted doctor, and this individual in particular could take over that burden and heal me as I see it.
How many patients new to this therapy like me, are going to view a stranger, an analyst in blank state, in such a way? To me, it explains everything. If I did not already have preconceived notions of him, I most likely would have thought the whole thing was strange and uncomfortable, and never would have been allow myself to trust him, allow my defense mechanisms to melt, expose my unconscious to this person - after seeing that blank state behavior-and he is very good at it. I mean I read people all the time and his eyes revealed nothing. That posture and body language certainly would have taken away my instinctual feelings of trust had I not had my preconceived notions about this doctor, and things that were reaffirmed during our first meeting by his professionalism and approach.
There's a story behind it that I don't want to post right now, but the connection I had with him stems from my belief system, perhaps a little magical thinking and spirituality. Did you ever encounter an individual who left a moving, lasting impression upon you? Did you ever have feelings that something is just "meant to be"? I also don't think anyone can deny that in many professions, there are truly gifted, inspiring, and dedicated people who are set apart from others. He is one of those people. I have met very few in my lifetime. I really think there are some doctors out there with a natural disposition of true compassion and a natural gift for healing. There are way more who get into the field for the wrong reasons. It's like that.
poster:garnet71
thread:901600
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090614/msgs/901915.html