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Navigating the Labyrinth of Ability and Disability: A Clinical Process Relational Perspective

Allen Parker

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Published in Working With Survivor Siblings In Psychoanalysis: Ability And Disability In Clinical Process (Relational Perspectives Series)

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Working with Survivor Siblings in Psychoanalysis: Ability and Disability in Clinical Process (Relational Perspectives Series)

Working with Survivor Siblings in Psychoanalysis: Ability and Disability in Clinical Process (Relational Perspectives Book Series)

by Johanna Dobrich

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13496 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	184 pages

The concepts of ability and disability are multifaceted and deeply woven into the fabric of human experience. They shape our perceptions of ourselves, others, and the world around us. In the clinical setting, these concepts take on added significance, as they influence not only the therapeutic relationship but also the treatment and recovery process.

The Clinical Process Relational Perspectives Series provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay between ability and disability in clinical practice. Drawing upon relational and process-oriented theories, this series offers a nuanced and individualized approach to working with clients who experience disability.

Ability and Disability: A Relational Perspective

From a relational perspective, ability and disability are not static characteristics but rather fluid constructs that are shaped by social, cultural, and interpersonal interactions. Disability is not simply an individual deficit, but rather a product of the ways in which individuals are marginalized and excluded from participating fully in society.

This relational understanding of ability and disability has profound implications for clinical practice. It challenges the traditional medical model, which often focuses on individual impairments and deficits, and instead emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and environmental factors that contribute to disability.

The Impact of Ability and Disability on Clinical Relationships

The presence of ability or disability can significantly impact the therapeutic relationship. For example, clients with physical disabilities may experience barriers to accessing treatment, while clients with cognitive disabilities may have difficulty expressing their needs and experiences.

It is essential for clinicians to be aware of these potential barriers and to develop strategies for overcoming them. This may include providing accessible accommodations, using alternative communication methods, and creating a safe and inclusive environment.

In addition to potential barriers, the presence of ability or disability can also create unique opportunities for connection and growth in the therapeutic relationship. For example, clients with disabilities may have developed resilience, creativity, and a deep understanding of human suffering.

Clinical Process Relational Perspectives and Disability

The Clinical Process Relational Perspectives Series offers a number of specific strategies for working with clients who experience disability. These strategies include:

Adaptive relational interventions: These interventions focus on helping clients to develop compensatory strategies for overcoming the challenges associated with disability.
Relationship-based interventions: These interventions emphasize the importance of building a strong and supportive therapeutic relationship, which can provide a safe space for clients to explore their experiences of disability.
Process-oriented interventions: These interventions focus on helping clients to understand the ways in which their experiences of disability have shaped their identity and their relationships with others.

These strategies are not meant to be prescriptive, but rather to provide a framework for clinicians to develop individualized treatment plans that meet the unique needs of their clients.

Ability and disability are complex and multifaceted concepts that have a profound impact on clinical practice and therapeutic relationships. By adopting a relational and process-oriented perspective, clinicians can develop a more comprehensive understanding of these concepts and provide more effective treatment to clients who experience disability.

The Clinical Process Relational Perspectives Series offers a valuable resource for clinicians who are working with clients who experience disability. This series provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay between ability and disability, and offers specific strategies for working with this population.

References

Brown, L. S. (2015). Relational-cultural theory: Family therapy and social justice. Routledge.
Cohen, M. J., & Hanson, J. E. (2015). Psychodynamic therapy with disabled clients: A relational, process-oriented approach. Routledge.
Harris, M. (2014). Disability and the life course: Global perspectives. Routledge.
Smith, D. E., & Rosen, G. (2014). Disability studies: A reader. Routledge.

Working with Survivor Siblings in Psychoanalysis: Ability and Disability in Clinical Process (Relational Perspectives Book Series)

by Johanna Dobrich

5 out of 5