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From: Ellen-Marie Silverman
Date: 10/6/03
Time: 10:09:05 PM
Remote Name: 172.163.34.222
Walt,
I could not agree with you more: Who we are is more important than anything else. Perhaps, you read my "Guest Editorial --- Shared Connections --Spirituality in Clinical Practice" in the last issue of The ASHA Leader? If not, I'll briefly recap: I believe, to be effective working with anyone, clinicians need to be present and to empower clients to mobilize their resources and take ownership of their life. To be present requires very careful llistening to discover the concerns of the patient and his or her ability to work to meet them. It also requires an accepting and non-judgmental attitude combined with compassion. To empower, it helps to negotiate a treatment contract spelling out all the clinical and house-keeping details to circumvent "surprises" that could lead to premature termination of treatment.
All in all, as I said, I totally agree with you: We clinicians, above all else need to know ourselves, warts and all, and responsibly carry out the daily work required to continually open our minds and hearts, as well as to continually and systematically investigate specific clinical methods and procedures that we may be able to apply effectively.
Good to hear from you!
Ellen-Marie Silverman