Jonathan Shedler
Jonathan Shedler

@JonathanShedler

4 Tweets 7 reads Jan 14, 2023
1/ Some people don't distinguish understanding from blaming. A therapist says, "let's think about this." They hear, "let's decide who to blame"
Their psychology requires that 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 be tried & convicted. If they have internalizing personality dynamics, the someone will
2/ be themselves & they will berate & punish themselves. If they have externalizing dynamics, they will vilify someone else & blame them for all their troubles. They will seek revenge if they can or endlessly nurture their resentments if they cannot
3/ Neither position is compatible with understanding. Both short circuit understanding. Neither allows for psychological growth and change. There is no mental space for in which understanding and change can emerge.
Effective psychotherapy is not about redirecting blame by
4/ switching from one position to another. It is about recognizing the destructive aggression & sadism inherent in both.

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