3 ms·

I think this doesn't really answer the question, though. Psychiatrists like to do X - is that because they follow a cargo cult of other psychiatrists who do X,

I think this doesn't really answer the question, though. Psychiatrists like to do X - is that because they follow a cargo cult of other psychiatrists who do X, or because there's empirical evidence that not-X is bad for patient outcomes (or bad for doctor outcomes - he has repeatedly mentioned concerns over his physical security)? This is exactly the kind of question I'd expect SSC to tackle thoughtfully on his blog if it wasn't so close to home. But without clear evidence against it, it's hard to criticise him for taking the conservative approach. Further, I'd expect he'd admit these days that using (most of) his real name for his blog was a mistake. He shouldn't be expected to further overreach professional standards of anonymity just because he previously made that misstep.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
unityByFreedom 6y ago
Consider therapists who have you lie on a couch vs those who have you sit in the same style chair, as an equal. Some therapists position themselves as an authority figure for their patients. If they were to open up about themselves, the patient might think they're incapable after seeing the therapist has doubts in their own life. This has advantages and drawbacks. It may be more efficient in earning trust, thus helping some patients heal faster. OTOH, some patients may never really accept this kind of therapist. In my experience, psychiatrists more often position themselves as authorities, and among psychologists/therapists/counselors there is a mix. It's really hard IMO to get communicable science out of talk therapy because there are so many variables and it is extremely subjective and personal. The whole point is to help a patient navigate their own issues. I draw the above opinion on therapy from reading a few books about the history of psychoanalysis and the various branches it has taken.
- thaumasiotes 6y ago
  > Consider therapists who have you lie on a couch vs those who have you sit in the same style chair, as an equal. > Some therapists position themselves as an authority figure for their patients. It is not obvious that the person who gets to recline while the other person must sit is the one with lower status or authority.
  - unityByFreedom 6y ago
    Sure it is. You're in a more vulnerable position while reclining.
    - tzs 6y ago
      What about the common trope of a person with wealth and/or power reclining while a servant or slave feeds them grapes or fans them with palm fronds [1]? Is Djambi actually higher status than Hedonism bot [2]? [1] https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrapesOfLuxury https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrapesOfLuxury [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFYMzQ3Vfq0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFYMzQ3Vfq0
      - unityByFreedom 6y ago
        Haha IMO we are all equally capable of thinking for ourselves, and therefore it is not necessary to have the patient recline in order to subjugate them and/or induce openness.
        pas 6y ago
        Isn't that done also to break eye contact? In (some) analytical therapy face-to-face discussion is discouraged as far as I know.
        unityByFreedom 6y ago
        Therapists usually try to encourage social skills that increase eye contact.
- indrax 6y ago
  >It's really hard IMO to get communicable science out of talk therapy because there are so many variables and it is extremely subjective and personal. The whole point is to help a patient navigate their own issues. Eliza did this for some people decades ago. An app with GTP-3 could do a lot if it could navigate the legal and ethical issues.
  - unityByFreedom 6y ago
    No, just no. Not even close.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
throwaway815190 6y ago
Imagine you go to a therapist for years, then find out he's been talking about you on his blog. Now, imagine you have a friend, family member or co-worker who happens to know you see that therapist and that he has a blog online. The therapist does a good job of anonymizing the clients he's talking about, so your friend doesn't know exactly which posts (if any!) pertain to you. So he has to guess. Hilarity ensues.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

unityByFreedom 6y ago

Consider therapists who have you lie on a couch vs those who have you sit in the same style chair, as an equal. Some therapists position themselves as an authority figure for their patients. If they were to open up about themselves, the patient might think they're incapable after seeing the therapist has doubts in their own life. This has advantages and drawbacks. It may be more efficient in earning trust, thus helping some patients heal faster. OTOH, some patients may never really accept this kind of therapist. In my experience, psychiatrists more often position themselves as authorities, and among psychologists/therapists/counselors there is a mix. It's really hard IMO to get communicable science out of talk therapy because there are so many variables and it is extremely subjective and personal. The whole point is to help a patient navigate their own issues. I draw the above opinion on therapy from reading a few books about the history of psychoanalysis and the various branches it has taken.

thaumasiotes 6y ago
> Consider therapists who have you lie on a couch vs those who have you sit in the same style chair, as an equal. > Some therapists position themselves as an authority figure for their patients. It is not obvious that the person who gets to recline while the other person must sit is the one with lower status or authority.
- unityByFreedom 6y ago
  Sure it is. You're in a more vulnerable position while reclining.
  - tzs 6y ago
    What about the common trope of a person with wealth and/or power reclining while a servant or slave feeds them grapes or fans them with palm fronds [1]? Is Djambi actually higher status than Hedonism bot [2]? [1] https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrapesOfLuxury https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrapesOfLuxury [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFYMzQ3Vfq0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFYMzQ3Vfq0
    - unityByFreedom 6y ago
      Haha IMO we are all equally capable of thinking for ourselves, and therefore it is not necessary to have the patient recline in order to subjugate them and/or induce openness.
      - pas 6y ago
        Isn't that done also to break eye contact? In (some) analytical therapy face-to-face discussion is discouraged as far as I know.
        unityByFreedom 6y ago
        Therapists usually try to encourage social skills that increase eye contact.
indrax 6y ago
>It's really hard IMO to get communicable science out of talk therapy because there are so many variables and it is extremely subjective and personal. The whole point is to help a patient navigate their own issues. Eliza did this for some people decades ago. An app with GTP-3 could do a lot if it could navigate the legal and ethical issues.
- unityByFreedom 6y ago
  No, just no. Not even close.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]

throwaway815190 6y ago

Imagine you go to a therapist for years, then find out he's been talking about you on his blog. Now, imagine you have a friend, family member or co-worker who happens to know you see that therapist and that he has a blog online. The therapist does a good job of anonymizing the clients he's talking about, so your friend doesn't know exactly which posts (if any!) pertain to you. So he has to guess. Hilarity ensues.