Sunday, February 26, 2017

March is Social Work month. What do Social Workers do?


Excellent description of Professional Social Work in letters to the editor on 02/26/17 in the Daily Journal in Tupelo, Mississippi.

"March is National Professional Social Worker month. Social workers stand up for millions of people every day. Most people do not know what social workers do: Social workers help individuals, families and groups restore or enhance their capacity for social functioning and work to create societal conditions that support communities in need."

For more click here.

Videotherapy - Foxcatcher

What it the function of the humanities in our culture and society?

The humanities is a broad number of disciplines which are distinguished usually from math and science. They include literature, history, film, the arts, and philosophy. In the last few decades, the humanities have been disparaged at the university level and in our culture because their study does not lead to vocational skills perceived as valuable for employment, and yet the humanities addresses questions about our human experience answering the question of what is the good life? What is the moral universe which we have lived in, live in presently, and wish to create for the future? The humanities inform the way we view ourselves as objects in existence and the culture and society in which we live and function. These views change over time and for most people are unconscious unless they deliberately study their development, sustainability, and change over time. The vehicles for these reflections will be novels and films that lend themselves to deconstructive analysis so that their messages and meaning are made conscious for our edification and enlightenment.

As an example we will consider the 2014 film Foxcatcher.


Foxcatcher is based on a true story about multi-millionaire heir John E. Dupont and his relationship with Olympic Gold Medal Wrestling winners, two brothers, Mark and David Shultz in the 80s and 90s.

From IMBD web site:

Based on true events, Foxcatcher tells the dark and fascinating story of the unlikely and ultimately tragic relationship between an eccentric multi-millionaire and two champion wrestlers. When Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is invited by wealthy heir John du Pont (Steve Carell) to move on to the du Pont estate and help form a team to train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics at his new state-of-the-art training facility, Schultz jumps at the opportunity, hoping to focus on his training and finally step out of the poverty striken situation Olympic caliber athletes like he and his revered brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo). Driven by hidden needs, du Pont sees backing Schultz's bid for Gold and the chance to "coach" a world-class wrestling team as an opportunity to gain the elusive respect of his peers and, more importantly, his disapproving mother (Vanessa Redgrave). 

John Dupont clearly is an eccentric character with money. Because of his money he is tolerated by athletes and their organizations when Dupont clearly does not have any other qualifications. Dupont has a grandiose narcissistic view of himself as a coach and patron of Olympic wrestling which is delusional but supported by those who desire his financial support and patronage. The ethical concern here is that money can buy access and bestow power of influence when other more substantive qualities are lacking. (This reminds me of Donald Trump.)

Acquiescence to Dupont's grandiose delusion of his self importance brings significant psychological suffering to Mark and death to David. The violation of the moral principle of the right use of money led to a tragic down fall for the three principle characters: John, Mark, and David. The question of whether one should sell his/her soul for financial advantage is raised and a point of reflection in discussing the moral of this Dupont/Schultz story.

And yet, the implication of this duplicity does not stop with just Mark and David. Dupont captures the whole Olympic wrestling training team at this Foxcatcher Wrestling program. Dupont buys off the United States Wrestling Association with promises of $500,000 annual contributions.

All of this happens in the United States where Olympic athletes are considered amateurs and as such train and live in poor circumstances without some other form of income. In other countries, Olympic athletes are often given governmental support. The circumstances under which a rich millionaire can capture an Olympic sports program to fuel his own mental illness is fascinating. Some cynics might say, "Only in America," but sports are captured for political and PR purposes around the world to legitimize political power and credibility as well as corporate influence on customers and the general public.

Sports for sports sake often is not the case as athletes become celebrities with endorsements and other forms of social power. Dupont clearly wants to ride the coat tails of two Olympic gold medal winners whom he is able to buy to vicariously live through their accomplishments.

This movie starts slow but is compellingly engrossing as the creative tension builds between John Dupont and Mark Schultz. I give it a 5 on my scale of 5 and highly recommend it. It should be required viewing for all high school and college level athletes.

Questions for consideration:

1. What is Dupont's motivation in inviting Mark Schultz, all expenses paid, to this home based wrestling camp?

2. What is Mark's motivation in accepting?

3. Why does David, Mark's brother, say to Mark when Mark tells David about Dupont's offer, "What does he (Dupont) get out of this?

4. Why does the U.S. Wrestling Association agree to Dupont's contribution of $500,000 per year? Should they have taken this money? What strings might be attached?

5. How are sports used for political and commercial purposes in the United States and around the world? What are some of the ethical boundaries that should be constructed so that athletes and athletic organizations are not abused by politicians and corporate managers?

Saturday, February 25, 2017

My professional code of ethics prohibits me from complying with some of the policies of the Trump administration.


As a member of the National Association of Social Workers and a Licensed Clinical Social Work Psychotherapist in New York State, I am bound by my professional ethics not to adhere to or support many of the policies of the Trump administration. I am committed to treating all my clients and their families and all members of my community with dignity, respect, and honor.

Videotherapy - I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore

Jean Paul Sartre, the existential philosopher, said, "Hell is other people." I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore is a 93 minute film which takes this theme and runs with it.

When Ruth, a 30 something, single Nursing Assistant's home is burglarized, her depression deepens with her sense of violation which morphs into anger about "not wanting people to be assholes " and she wants her stuff back.

The story then kind of careens through a series of attempts to make things right.

Ruth recruits a socially awkward single neighbor, Tony, as her "back - up" as she goes on her quest to track down the burglar(s) and her things.

The story is told in ways that are comedic and grizzly.

The creative tension is developed between Ruth's righteous indignation and the selfish, greedy, exploitative behavior of her fellow human beings. It is a conflict that most of us can identify with, on the one hand being angry and repulsed by the behavior of our fellow human beings and our desire to love them and be at peace when things are more just.

Ruth's assertiveness in channeling her anger into making things right is to be admired. There is a slogan in psychology that "you can be mad or sad." When working with client's of mine who are depressed, I often observe their moving from sad to mad as a step in the direction of health. When people say, "Gosh darn it, I'm not taking this any more! I'm going to do something about it to make things right!" I am reassured that the person is on the track to make the world a better place.

I recommend "I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore." I give it a 4 on my 5 point scale.

For more from IMDB click here.

"I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore" is on Netflix streaming.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Racism is bad for your health

From the Greater Good Science Center, University of California, Berkeley on September 8, 2016:

Researchers compared the racial biases of nearly 1.4 million people nationwide to death rates in more than 1,700 US counties. Their findings suggest that blacks and, to a lesser degree, whites who reside in overtly racist communities are more prone to dying from heart disease and other circulatory diseases.

For more click here.


Racism is not a psychiatric disorder in and of itself. Social groups often take pride in their group and feel and think they are superior to others. 

Individual racism can be distinguished from institutional and structural racism where  a culture and system are rigged by the group in power to oppress and dominate the minority group. Individuals tend to act out the beliefs and values of their reference groups. It may be more helpful to think about racism as a cultural phenomenon with individual behaviors and beliefs being a symptom of more deep seated dysfunctional norms, values, and beliefs.

Mental health professionals are not only concerned with the dysfunctional behaviors, thoughts, and feelings of their clients but also with the emotional systems in which these individuals participate such as their families, communities, states, nation, and religious and civic organizations.

Are some communities, organizations, institutions, and political and religious groups more racist than others? Could we then say that some communities, organizations, institutions, and political and religious groups more mentally healthy than others?

Mental health professionals are not interested in enhancing the mental health of individuals, but with families, communities, organizations, institutions, and cultures as well.

For more click here.

"It is what it is" leads to resilience and a miracle


Two thirds of Americans report Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which predict poorer health and more problems in adulthood. However research has show than people who can accept their childhood trauma seem to do better. This acceptance does not imply agreeing with it or condoning it.

In reading this description of the study done, and the observation that "mindfulness" helps with managing memories of the trauma, the saying "it is what it is" comes to mind. In the recognition of the trauma and the acknowledgement of it, we can rise above it.

This recognition and acknowledgement often happens best when the person can have his/her say about what happened in the presence of an understanding, trusted other. It is the non anxious listening of another who becomes an enlightened witness that this transformation can occur. Some might call this transformation a "miracle" in the sense that there is a shift in perception and understanding that is liberating and facilitates peace.

Videotherapy - Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things

Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things is on Netflix streaming and might be helpful for people considering existential concerns about the meaning of life and how to create a life that makes one happy. 

The thesis of the movie is that the pursuit and acquisition of material things while promoted by advertising and marketing in our society doesn't work. The slogan at the end of the movie is "Love people, use things, not the other way around."

The Dali Lama said that the purpose of life is happiness. This statement begs the further question of "What will make me happy?" This question is the basis of all psychotherapy even if it is not addressed explicitly in the therapy.

The movie got poor reviews on IMDB because of it superficiality which I think are justified, but for the less aware this movie can be eye and mind opening.

You can get more information from IMDB by clicking here.

The relevance to hoarding and compulsive shopping etc is apparent, but its relevance to all of us in our consumer society and growing ennui is germane.