[humanser] Importance of Psychology in blindness especially firststages?

[JD Townsend via humanser]

Hello Gerardo ,

Apologies for the tardy response.

I have felt that blind services does need to incorporate psychotherapy, 
especially in groups, to assist with the narcissistic injury or adjustment 
disorder.  Towards that I developed such a group at a local blindness 
rehabilitation agency.  It was a good thing, but ended when the funding 
source felt that they could do the same groups with center staff, so saving 
them money.  That was several years ago and they have never developed such a 
group.  Several months ago one of the staff members asked if I would be 
interested in doing such a group, not knowing that I had done so years ago. 
I sent her my outline for a 6 session adjustment group, but never heard 
back.  Still no group therapy.

At the time my local agency engaged a psychologist to evaluate each new 
student's psychiatric needs and conditions.  That psychologist is no longer 
consulted, leaving that assessment to a semi-retired medical doctor.

The NFB has had mixed feelings about psychology, feeling that labeling each 
and every blind person as neurotic would further the impression that 
blindness is an overwhelming & incapacitating disability;  which it is not. 
The NFB has suggested that simply embracing the NFB philosophy will serve to 
adequately deal with adjustment.  My personal belief sits between these 
extreme beliefs.  The most common co-morbid condition with all medical 
conditions are mental health issues.  All conditions heal and remedy more 
quickly with psychotherapy.  Blindness often comes along with other physical 
conditions and even when it comes alone it is an adjustment that each of us 
deals with in our unique manner.  For me the NFB philosophy has been of 
great importance, but my own psychotherapy continues to assist me in coping 
with blindness along with my multiple other issues, SIGH.

Best of luck.  Having developed the foundations of treatment and the art of 
treatment is not sufficient if you don't also develop marketing skills. 
Keep moving forward with pride in your gifts and acquired abilities.

JD
-----Original Message----- 
From: Gerardo Corripio via humanser
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2014 1:07 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: [humanser] Importance of Psychology in blindness especially 
firststages?

  HI listers
I've got a topic derived from an experience I had recently at a local
blindness Association here in my area; appreciate your feedback:
Back in December, I was invited for a meeting of what was supposed to be
a blindness Association; excited that I might finally be able to do
something productive such as individual therapy and group therapy; note
i've never in my life done group therapy, but have notions, thus felt
and feel prepared to take on the challenge; my philosophyhas always been
that what a better way to help other blind people indirectly, than by
example, thus imagine my excitement that I'd finally be able to
participate in the Association by putting to work my Psychology self,
and by giving the message that blindness (and in my case hearing loss of
70%) shouldn't be obstacle to do what we want!
The weeks went by; I saw no plans to incorporate either group therapy,
or motivational talks or nothing related to Psychology, thus I asked and
the response? We're not considering implementing. OK I thought why the
heck would they excite me in the first place, and then say they aren't
including the Psychology area? OK so I continued to ask about it because
I'm not those who takes no for an answer easily, and I guess they got so
tired of me asking and bugging that they ended up saying that not to
worry, that they found a more qualified Psychologist! So my question is
it really important in a blindness Association, the Psychology
especially since they're people who recently, or are becoming blind? Am
I right in feeling so strongly of this?

-- 
Enviado desde mi lap
Gerardo J Corripio Flores Psicólogo, Terapéuta Reiki
Saludos desde Tampico, Tamaulipas México
RompiendoBarreras espacio de psicología/Superación Personal Sábados 10PM 
México http://radiogeneral.com ¡los esperamos!


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JD Townsend LCSW
Helping the light dependent to see.
Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System