more Procrustean beds

• Ericksonian approaches and clinical theory by Hans Van Laake, 12/31/97
  • Procrustean beds by Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D., 1/3/98
    
    

I understand Procrustean beds can be quite uncomfortable to lie in, and that therefore it makes sense to avoid them. However, it seems to me that there are more ways than one that we might expect people to fit in unfamiliar molds. Being involved in crisis intervention both as line staff and as a supervisor, I have seen many clinicians allow themselves to be guided by personal ethics and value-judgments while intervening in a person's crisis. At times this was potentially or actually harmful to the person. I found that insisting that my staff and I use theory-based interventions was for me the most effective way of ensuring that people receive treatment that meets their needs, rather than the needs of the clinician. I have great respect for the Ericksonian approach, and I can say that it definitely has influenced my approach to people and the human experience. However, I seem unable to resolve the question of how to minimize the influence of personal bias when I resolve to formulate a different 'theory' for each person that seeks to change. Please comment.

• Change theory not structural theory by Stephen Lankton, 1/10/98