Posted by spoc on April 23, 2004, at 11:23:32
In reply to Ts: Field choice *always* = caring? (from logic), posted by spoc on April 23, 2004, at 10:52:44
....... However, here are some more gut-level thoughts on it that probably do involve more attitude. But does it sound "wrong," or *largely* unrealistic?
In many professions offering this level of compensation, more concrete and rapidly apparent changes through the service or product offered must be evidenced. And a provider's awareness of their need -- as a “vendor” -- to stay current and be the best is more self-regulating, due to how obvious it is that they are in a dynamic and competitive industry wherein at any moment their clients could be tempted away.
That's not to say that Ts probably often choose to get stagnant or not work their *hardest* towards facilitating positive change, but amongst fields that pay this well there may be a lot of advantages to this one, even more so than there are sacrifices. The client isn't looking for, or aware, to the same extent that (i.e.) their sales should now be rising due to that better advertising campaign; their communications network should be streamlined now due to that technical expertise; their vision should be improved now due to that surgery. Of course therapy clients look for and hope for an improved mental state, but some more so than others, and many not for years; and a few will blame themselves indefinitely if it never helps them. And often given their mental state they won’t be able to sort it all out.
It's obviously not a field in which the same kind of overnight improvements are even *possible.* But in it we as clients -- more so than other types of clients -- must largely have blind faith that the best effort is being made. Which maybe does reduce the pressure on this type of professional. It can often and for years be made to seem like a shortcoming on the patient’s part, so blind faith in a T's caring and motivations for being there is probably not safe criteria to use in itself. Some feel deeply for Ts and what they must "go through" to be in this industry, but I think the compensation rate more than levels that playing field.
If anything I think that the actual rate of compensation itself is what causes a lot of the conflict in patients over "paying for someone to care." The average price tag seems to make the statement that that is exactly how off-putting the prospect of providing this service would be otherwise. Which could be seen by the sensitive as making the statement that it indeed wouldn't be worth it to them for a lesser price, which isn't proof towards the theory that they all do care but simply need to make a "reasonable" living.
I for one do find it almost tragic that the average cost for this service landed where it did. I think it is a little offensive, truth be told, especially considering that many Ts require patients to come in multiple times per week. Free help is usually available through some means to people who can't afford it, but what's said about that and how it compares is a subject I won't get into. Anyway, this tenet of some Ts being available only to those who can spare several hundred dollars a week for up to many years also doesn't go far towards soothing the "inner child" that this particular person is someone who cares about all of humanity. That person also lets truly gut-wrenching cases, whom they have begun to really help, walk out the door into uncertainty if they fall upon financial difficulties, etc.
Anyway, as far as what Ts “go through,” at the end of the day is it really so much “worse” than whatever the industry-specific pressures, hazards and requirements are of any high paying field. They can also choose to be able to live comfortably from only a few hours of work per week in order to leave time to “de-stress,” which can’t be said of many other fields in which long hours, deadlines and taking work home are often unavoidable.
And think about the additional advantages to many of them in private pratice, of not having to deal with the annoyances of the corporate world, office politics and/or bureaucracies! Maybe for some it's more like having to meet difficult 'friends' and acquaintances all day long to hear about their lives for a living (but then being able to draw a line precisely at 45 or 55 minutes). Surely not exactly fun at many times, but for that price, I'd definitely rather do that than many, many (MANY) other things. Yes, some Ts endure issues like being stalked or handling a lot of phone calls on their personal time (if they allow the latter to happen). But I’m speaking generally.
In struggling with my own recent decision whether to quit a certain T, I spent many sessions trying to discuss with him that his may simply not have been the best methodology for me personally. But even though I knew that to be true in my gut and should have gone with it, I intellectualized it for weeks and he wouldn't give an inch towards conceding that different methods are more effective for different people, or that different PEOPLE are more effective for different people. He wouldn't "let me go," and even made my concerns all a function of my other problems, which really twisted and tortured my brain. Finally a third party in a position as good as any to comment had to point out to me not to forget that this was a businessman like any other, who of course did not want to lose an account (and that my account in particular was likely far from negligible towards his bottom line).
I really did need to remember that, and I think most people should at least remain cognizant of it when they are trying to make a difficult decision about something that truly doesn't seem to be a good fit for them.
Some people here will revile against that but it is again only acknowledging human nature. I think the more vulnerable and decision-impaired we are due to our problems, the more we must be very careful to be realistic and assertive consumers. Please don’t anyone assume that I mean to speak for the motivations of all Ts, please! I am just saying that the decision to enter this field undoubtedly is sometimes from caring; but is surely often instead mainly a very prudent career and lifestyle choice, for someone who may be more pragmatic than “caring” per say. But who hopefully is very conscientious and motivated as well, and so can still provide a good service.
-------> Sorry, got a little long winded there. This is just something that I'm trying to work through lately. >
> pegasus
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Hmmm, talk about long-winded! But I hope anyone who has read this far might want to comment, including if they agree. ;- )
poster:spoc
thread:339137
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040419/msgs/339145.html