11 Jul 2013, 1:58 pm
Tyri0n wrote:
Cafeaulait wrote:
Uprising wrote:
It's actually weird that I've never ever heard of such thing yet as "a psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist with autism/aspergers" in this world.
4HERE I AM
Are you really? That's awesome.
Anyway, it might be more than some of you realize. A lot of psychiatrists have a cold, rational demeanor that makes it impossible to know what they are thinking. They have a unique ability to detach themselves emotionally from other people, which is something that some aspies do naturally.
Well, I am currently in my masters year of clinical psychology so yeah
24 Mar 2017, 5:51 pm
Uprising wrote:
It's actually weird that I've never ever heard of such thing yet as "a psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist with autism/aspergers" in this world.
Well, you've just heard of another *points at self*
At least I think I *might* have autistic traits. I only have a formal diagnosis of ADHD.
You would think the apparent lack of empathy would make it impossible to be a therapist, but I've met plenty of mental health professionals with zero warmth.
I went to apply for a job as a social worker, and they had me take an MMPI-2. I scored only a couple of points over the "empathy" cut-off. Apparently, if I had scored any lower, they would've thought I was some sort of psychopath, and terminated the hiring process. I scored high on analytical reasoning. The psychologist who was reviewing my results coldly looked at me, and with zero sensitivity stated, "You shouldn't be in this line of work. You score low on empathy." Takes a f**king kettle to call a teapot black!
Empathy can be learned on a rational level. It's just a bit inflexible at times, but the "empathy programming" becomes more elaborate with time and experience. I'm able to adapt reasonably after years of trying to act "normal" and with years of experience in the helping profession.
Performing counseling can also be learned, sort of like putting on a hat or playing a role in a movie. You learn by watching professionals do their job, and synthesizing that information into your own personal experience. I can have a deep, profound session with a client, then turn around and be unable to hold a conversation with a stranger.
From the feedback I get, I guess I'm a decent therapist. A lot of my clients seem to like me. I think the mutual experience of emotional turmoil in life gives me something to connect with in my clients.
25 Oct 2017, 12:44 pm
antnego wrote:
Uprising wrote:
It's actually weird that I've never ever heard of such thing yet as "a psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist with autism/aspergers" in this world.
I can have a deep, profound session with a client, then turn around and be unable to hold a conversation with a stranger.
From the feedback I get, I guess I'm a decent therapist. A lot of my clients seem to like me. I think the mutual experience of emotional turmoil in life gives me something to connect with in my clients.
That's so nice to hear! I'm training to be a therapist and I've had so many doubts since I got my diagnosis a couple of months ago. On one hand it is really my heart's desire to become a therapist and help people, on the other hand I often have problems interacting even with people in my group and we know each other intimately because of the training, so I often wonder whether I would be able to connect with patients. But reading your post gives me hope
