One of the primary questions facing the Recovery Community and the Therapeutic Profession – is a question of authority.
In his book “Unveiling The Addicted Heart” Therapist (in recovery) Jon S. Gieber asserts:
The truth arises from five basic sources: Authority, Experience, Intuition, Science and Legal Processes.
Those who would desire to be in recovery will appreciate which of these the most?
Oregon re-criminalized drug possession (in small amounts) by amending aspects of Measure 110. Addicts will certainly bear the burden of receiving the “truth” (so called) adjudicated upon them in greater numbers. Conservative values are “punish them.”
Who do these prisoners (of addiction and the state) identify with in pre-recovery and in early sobriety? Most likely others like themselves. Seems intuitively obvious, right?
Scientism is the view that science and the scientific method are the best or only way to render truth about the world and reality.
Gieber develops the idea that Scientism has an effect on the therapy profession rendering it largely insensitive to diversity. Clinical dogma is at fault for diminished therapeutic effectiveness. He analogizes Theorticians in Therapy practice as Priests – ones who hold the intellectual high ground. But lack any experience of the “loss of control” addicts suffer.
Shamans (polar opposite the Priests) are ones who have direct experience and respect for the condition. (Perhaps why so many in recovery wind up returning to the battle as Therapists.)
“Emotion-focused therapy is rooted in a person-centered philosophy, but it is integrative in that it synthesizes aspects of Gestalt therapy, experiential therapy, and existential therapy. Emotion-focused therapy blends the relational aspects of the person-centered approach with the active phenomenological awareness experiments of Gestalt therapy.”
“Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy.” Gerald Corey 2024.
Seems easy to sense the difference between the intellectualism Corey asserts and the genuineness and simplicity of Gieber.
In my work as a volunteer? Addicts more often appreciate the truth authority represented by Experience.
It should not be about what you did. It should be about “What happened to you?!”
Scientism is a vehicle our culture leans on to drive the divide and inequities we collectively suffer in the Justice System. Broken people require empathy, and people in recovery make great therapists through their sympathetic experience.
If you’re in recovery or wanting to be? Or if you know an addict (of any type, there are many.) Jonny’s book is concise, instructive and evocative. Get one. Read it. The notion of trauma informed therapy will open your eyes to how people really experience this disease.
Narrow Way Cafe 