Dr. Phil
Let me tell you: I used to love watching Dr. Phil when I was younger (maybe that is why I chose psychology as my major in college). I had extra time today while waiting for my ride, so I turned on some Dr. Phil. Oh my. I noticed so many different things compared to when I was 12!
First of all, Dr. Phil is the perfect example of the "american" psychology. In my personality class, we learned about various cultures and their beliefs. I never realized how self-centered Americans are taught to be from the culture. The most important thing in our culture is have self confidence, to achieve your goals andobtain happiness. Don't get me wrong, but this leaves out for thinking about others. My personal opinion is that you need to have balance between your personal comfort and happiness and helping others all the time. I was watching him interact with his "clients" and he kept referring to how they needed to be happy and focus on themselves. Is that the real solution to have happiness?
I always wonder about this in our media and culture. Most movies, happiness is the most important objective for the main character and they always have a happy ending. I sometimes wander how this affects the perception of americans in how they entitled to a happy endings. Happy endings may come but we shouldn't demand them. "I need to be happy". Yes, being happy is good, but helping others and focusing on others should be the main focus. Happiness will come as you help others.
On that note, is the solution to finding happiness focusing on your own needs? I always question when people say this. In my personal experience, I notice when I focus on my problems they are enlarged and I am more miserable than before. When I forget my problems and help others, I usually gain new perspectives and my problems become smaller.
Anyways, another thing I noticed was Dr. Phil's therapy style. He was SUPER judgmental. When you are judgmental on your client, they will most likely not listen to you. If my therapist told me that I was "psychotic" and needed to "get over it", I would just walk out the room. Being rude and judgmental to your clients will not help you gain respect but people will close up on you. I used to love Carl Rogers with his non-judgmental methods in therapy ( I still kinda like them), but you need a middle ground. Somewhere in between Carl Rogers and Dr. Phil is perfect because you are somewhat judgmental but in a caring way (if that makes sense).
So, Dr. Phil if you are reading this you can take my comments and change your style. Plus, in therapy aren't you supposed to keep things confidential? How is it confidential if the whole world knows about your problems. I don't think it is very confidential.
First of all, Dr. Phil is the perfect example of the "american" psychology. In my personality class, we learned about various cultures and their beliefs. I never realized how self-centered Americans are taught to be from the culture. The most important thing in our culture is have self confidence, to achieve your goals andobtain happiness. Don't get me wrong, but this leaves out for thinking about others. My personal opinion is that you need to have balance between your personal comfort and happiness and helping others all the time. I was watching him interact with his "clients" and he kept referring to how they needed to be happy and focus on themselves. Is that the real solution to have happiness?
I always wonder about this in our media and culture. Most movies, happiness is the most important objective for the main character and they always have a happy ending. I sometimes wander how this affects the perception of americans in how they entitled to a happy endings. Happy endings may come but we shouldn't demand them. "I need to be happy". Yes, being happy is good, but helping others and focusing on others should be the main focus. Happiness will come as you help others.
On that note, is the solution to finding happiness focusing on your own needs? I always question when people say this. In my personal experience, I notice when I focus on my problems they are enlarged and I am more miserable than before. When I forget my problems and help others, I usually gain new perspectives and my problems become smaller.
Anyways, another thing I noticed was Dr. Phil's therapy style. He was SUPER judgmental. When you are judgmental on your client, they will most likely not listen to you. If my therapist told me that I was "psychotic" and needed to "get over it", I would just walk out the room. Being rude and judgmental to your clients will not help you gain respect but people will close up on you. I used to love Carl Rogers with his non-judgmental methods in therapy ( I still kinda like them), but you need a middle ground. Somewhere in between Carl Rogers and Dr. Phil is perfect because you are somewhat judgmental but in a caring way (if that makes sense).
So, Dr. Phil if you are reading this you can take my comments and change your style. Plus, in therapy aren't you supposed to keep things confidential? How is it confidential if the whole world knows about your problems. I don't think it is very confidential.
Comments
Post a Comment