Conversation #2: "Ones & Zeros"

We may not be aware of it, but each of us carry deep seated beliefs about people and the world which profoundly affect our every thought, feeling, and interaction with others and ourselves. Today we explore some of these core beliefs, starting with a trip back to the best of times and worst of times - High School! Outline: Thoughts on how to use podcast “Clinically indicated” vs. ideal Regularly scheduled time… OR whatever works best for you! Previous week follow up No one therapy model is the “answer” or “right” approach, but that the therapy model does matter. Unity more important than the “right” approach Parenting one excellent example In what ways might your focus on doing it the “right” way be getting in your way? Scientific method Hypothesis - test hypothesis New Year’s Egg drop tradition Hypothesis Focused on strength of hot glue holding popsicle sticks and padding capability of popcorn Assumptions Gravity is a constant: None of us ever thought about it - we assumed it to be true and built our designs accordingly. Imagine if gravity were different than my assumptions.. Similarly we ALL have assumptions, or core beliefs, we never think about but which are critical in understanding our choices and responses to life. When behavior and beliefs are inconsistent we feel dissonance (“off” feeling) which translates to anxiety, depression, blaming others, and all around poor choices. Coping with dissonance Three core beliefs worth exploring, and knowing what you believe: Brokenness as a thing Calculator metaphor I believe everything makes sense We don’t need to know “how” it works to know/believe that it works Thirst and water Two more core beliefs that have profound implications for how we see the world. Inherently good/bad/neutral? What evidence do you have to support your belief? How do you feel about your belief? If you’re not sure what you believe, how might you go about exploring? Inherent value/worth? Is a human life inherently valuable? Does that include yours? How might you value other people’s thoughts/feelings/experiences differently than your own? Where might you have learned that? Take care, and I’ll talk to you next week! Questions: How might a focus on the “right” way be getting in your way? What do I believe about brokenness? Inherent goodness? Inherent worth? How does this belief make sense for me? (i.e. how did I come by it?) How does my belief help/hurt? Are my thoughts and actions consistent with this belief? Toward others? Toward myself? Related Ideas For Future Exploration Attachment Theory What is truth? If I truly believe there is no gravity, is it true? How does that belief affect my lived experience? Are there objective truths about the human experience? DSM and labels Symbolic Interactionism Placebo Effect