I was about to say “what about therapy” and then I remembered how almost every therapist besides me does therapy (and how they react when they learn how I do things…). I know I can’t eliminate all the spooks, but I do try my best
It’s all so second nature to me at this point that I had to spend a good bit of time thinking about all the ways I incorporate my anarchist values in my practice. I’m sure there are more, but these are the most significant ones I could think of
No insurance, so I’m not forced to pathologize my clients and I’m not beholden to a third-party constraining what we’re allowed to work on, etc
Extremely low cost, with no means testing, and I even accept bartering
Full therapeutic self-disclosure to help dissolve the power dynamic
Conduct sessions in neutral or client-centered environments (I have no public office- I meet clients virtually, outdoors, or in their home)
Peer accountability with a fellow anarchist in the medical field
Consent and boundaries are iterative and explicit
Session structure, modalities, etc, are collaboratively negotiated
Edit: I realize this list probably sounds normal and benign to leftists, but libs react very strongly to these things
That stuff does seem like table stakes to me. I’ve only done telehealth with people who were pretty chill. Sounds like there’s some real bad practices if this is abnormal.
I feel like bad practices are the norm, but maybe my experience is skewed due to living in Florida lol (a blue part, but still)
Most therapists I’ve encountered/been familiar with obv have new clients sign consent forms, but never actually review it with them; they create a treatment plan for them and say ‘here, sign this’; they tell me it’s inappropriate to list my own diagnoses and politics on my PsychologyToday page; they argue that bartering is less ethical than charging $150; and I’ve yet to meet someone IRL (therapist or otherwise) who wasn’t surprised (and often lowkey sketched out) when I say I do sessions at parks & in homes.
Also I forgot to add this one- other therapists are always absolutely floored when I tell them I don’t do involuntary commitals
I was about to say “what about therapy” and then I remembered how almost every therapist besides me does therapy (and how they react when they learn how I do things…). I know I can’t eliminate all the spooks, but I do try my best
That’s so vague tell me more.
It’s all so second nature to me at this point that I had to spend a good bit of time thinking about all the ways I incorporate my anarchist values in my practice. I’m sure there are more, but these are the most significant ones I could think of
No insurance, so I’m not forced to pathologize my clients and I’m not beholden to a third-party constraining what we’re allowed to work on, etc
Extremely low cost, with no means testing, and I even accept bartering
Full therapeutic self-disclosure to help dissolve the power dynamic
Conduct sessions in neutral or client-centered environments (I have no public office- I meet clients virtually, outdoors, or in their home)
Peer accountability with a fellow anarchist in the medical field
Consent and boundaries are iterative and explicit
Session structure, modalities, etc, are collaboratively negotiated
Edit: I realize this list probably sounds normal and benign to leftists, but libs react very strongly to these things
That stuff does seem like table stakes to me. I’ve only done telehealth with people who were pretty chill. Sounds like there’s some real bad practices if this is abnormal.
I feel like bad practices are the norm, but maybe my experience is skewed due to living in Florida lol (a blue part, but still)
Most therapists I’ve encountered/been familiar with obv have new clients sign consent forms, but never actually review it with them; they create a treatment plan for them and say ‘here, sign this’; they tell me it’s inappropriate to list my own diagnoses and politics on my PsychologyToday page; they argue that bartering is less ethical than charging $150; and I’ve yet to meet someone IRL (therapist or otherwise) who wasn’t surprised (and often lowkey sketched out) when I say I do sessions at parks & in homes.
Also I forgot to add this one- other therapists are always absolutely floored when I tell them I don’t do involuntary commitals
i am happy that you exist and i envy your clients 💙
Awe, thank you ☺
I’m Aussie and I can say your practices are not the norm for sure, and I don’t think I’d engage a therapist unless they followed your guidelines.
In fact I would not be surprised if some of your practices would prevent you from getting or retaining a licensed! E.g. the involuntary commitment.
Luckily in my US state (Florida), it’s only legally required for persons under 18, and I don’t work much with minors anymore