Great Dialogue...a small systems thought...Please Continue!

• Responses to First Learning about Affect Theory by Jim Duffy a.k.a. J.C.D., 2/28/97
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    • What is Sympathy? Parts I, II, III, and IV by Jim Duffy, 3/21/97
      
      

Jim and Don. I'm super-impressed by the quality of your dialogue, and I am learning a lot. I want to throw one small "systems" thought into the pot.

Is it possible that clinicians are systemically prohibited from discovering the true motivational meaning of sympathy that, Jim, it seems you are getting at, and instead we are all normatively required to be only empathic----that is, without the passion to do something truly "sympathetic" that might upset the mental health system as we know it?

Or another way: to be truly sympathetic (as Jim seems to be saying) a clinician may be too inclined to break the norms of the mental health profession in order to help his or her clients. To prevent this from happening (systems homeostasis), the meaning of sympathy may have been corrupted---there is a slight shame feel around the word "sympathy" which makes me suspect it's use is being pooh-poohed the way group norms are enforced---in order to guarantee that psychotherapists remain safely part of the social cleanup crew and not discover enough inner passion to focus on causes.

On with your dialogue, it's just great! I can't contribute on the level you're achieving. Say more! Chauncey

• Chauncey, I Appreciate Your Appreciation by Jim Duffy, 3/22/97