Substantial change in relationship

Dear blog reader,
I am not quite sure about the type of content that I will eventually choose to include in this blog, i.e. the parameters aren't yet clear. However, today I've decided to write about my supervisor since I consider this to be an important area of psychotherapy.
During my employment at the agency that offered me a student internship, I found myself constantly struggling between the role that I wanted to be in (student, intern, fun loving guy, therapist) and the role that the agency required me to be (guy who maintains compliance with Medicaid, guy who makes sure agency bills are paid). To the agency all is secondary to survival; actual treatment included. Now what could be wrong with survival? one might inquire. Nothing, to the regular eye. Although it does raise the question--will we ever get past the surviving stage and reach normal peaceful life, the realm where therapy can be more easily accomplished? I don't mean that all people must love each other and all that blah. I do mean that the agency must get to the point of realizing--hey, how are we going to make money so that our clients can get the therapy they need?
The important questions are those that ask, if the current situation doesn't work, what are we going to do to change it. That is a fundamental concept of ego psychology (as far as I know), so why don't we address it? That brings me to my point about my supervisor.
Don't get me wrong, I love this woman. She, on the inside is a wonderful person. Smart, funny, playful. An attractive young woman who can do a lot with her capable personality. There is one tiny problem, she's a difficult person to work with! I've teased myself and asked enough questions to realize that I'm not the only person to think so. My supervisor wants to have supervision, she wants to know that things are going her way all the time! I know this may sound vague and unrealistic (even as description), however I assure you that some of it is true.
She really ponders up many ways to get people to pay attention to how she thinks stuff should be done--manipulation, "punishment," you name it! I mean she's not that bad once in a while, but really much of the time she is.
So the question I'd like to ask you dear reader, why doesn't she change. Does she not see her thoughts/behavior as a problem? Does my agency not realize that what is going on isnt working? I don't know, maybe nobody ever raised any steam and came in screaming. Though I have planned to on many drives to work!
Well, what I've been doing is touching on the subject with her slowly and nudging her in the right direction (haha), hoping she'll realize and change her ways. With her I think it's possible, the agency as a whole though that is another difficult question.

2 ideas

The first is: I like social work, but I'm beginning to understand the difficulties I've had with liking it. For instance, social workers care about everything, I mean this it the profession that aims to improve not only interpersonal factors (friendships, marriages, bla bla) but also social factors (stop wars, improve legal rights, make the economy more fair). Imagine what being a social worker entails then! You gotta do all that, not make a lot of money, and still go home at night and live the rest of your life. What a dream, right?! I am just kidding, it is a cool profession. However, why don't we adjust it a little bit while we're here. I definitely want to do away with this attitude of not doing interpretations, for example. (Interpretations are the therapist's explanations to the client of realistic causes and understandings of what she is feeling and how she is living; longer explanation to follow in another post). What do social workers often say about this tool/function: we don't use it, we don't need it, our job is to help the person, not interpret to them what is going on. Basically, at least in my experience, we are supposed to help improve the situation without ever getting down to solving the original problem. Labor unions are a good example, what do they accomplish--better wages and rights for workers. Good idea, however standing up for yourself isn't the whole picture. What about improving the economy in such a way that people won't have to be a part of labor unions, we all deserve respect so why not stress that and aim for that change rather than rest at the point we are at now. (I realize this too can be elaborated on forever). My basic point is: let's really do something, let's define how we want to help people and actually do it, be active. Rather than enforce this 'field of caring' that is often helpless because of the forces around it. Change the forces!

Idea 2: I almost totally forgot, now I remember. This is about my earlier message on therapy not being for everyone. Or is it? Or is it not? I think therapy should be an adjunctive practice for some people. You're doing your job and things are great however there is that little part of you that peaks out once in a while and throws off your day. Come to therapy, hopefully we can figure it out, you're not sick and it will only help you!

Changed perspective

I've recently experienced a peculiar new understanding of psychotherapy and it's meaning to me changed. Just to give the reader a little bit of perspective, I like many of us, have been accustomed to speaking my mind in a manner that would suggest that what I had to say just made sense and could be useful to everyone without further adjustment. (Ha ha)
Recently, as my friendships and understanding of people expanded, I began to consider that my way of making sense of the universe differed widely from that of others. What could this mean? Would other people's perspectives make just as much sense as mine in this reality we cohabit? I guess so, because I've recently realized that my suggestions and ideas don't make sense or work for everyone. Big deal, right? It is to me (pun unintended) since this may mean that psychotherapy as I know it is not just an objective tool that can be beneficial for everyone. What will be the result of this expanded thinking I'm not sure, however I am humbled to a more realistic place for the time being.
By the way, check out this definition of psychotherapy I found online (google define):

Psychotherapy is a set of techniques intended to cure or improve psychological and behavioral problems in humans. The commonest form of psychotherapy is direct personal contact between therapist and patient, mainly in the form of talking. Because sensitive topics are often discussed during psychotherapy, therapists are expected, and usually legally bound, to respect patient privacy and client confidentiality.

Presentation

Come to the symposium on psychotherapy held by AAPCSW (American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work) in Ann Arbor.
Presenters will be current graduate students; discussion with senior clinicians to follow. Interesting topics include: recent views on 2 influential analytic theories and the experience of psychodynamic social work graduate school.

I will be one of the presenters. All are welcome.

10:30 Brunch 11:15 – 1:30 Symposium Papers and Discussion
At the home of Karen Baker 2008 Carhart Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48104

New open blog discussion

Hi, the goal of this blog is to discuss psychotherapy and everything related to it. Literature, practice, clinical discussions, questions about seeking therapy, etc. If you have an interest in psychotherapy and would like to get to know more about it, share ideas, or just chat, please feel free to post on here.
I'd like this site to be a discussion of multiple points of view. Join in!