Embracing (Rather Than Fixing) Our Authentic Selves with David Bedrick, JD, DIPL PW

MP3 Download

We are a society of armchair psychologists, who are constantly self-diagnosing. There are scores of books and television programs that suggest ways for us to reprogram and rid ourselves of disturbing feelings and behavior patterns. Bedrick is deepening the dialogue about the role and practice of psychology in today’s society. Much of mainstream or “pop” psychology give us plenty of labels, but does it go deep enough to motivate us to truly change destructive patterns? David Bedrick gives us a new vision of psychology where people are seen not as either functional or dysfunctional. It’s a psychology where awareness and dialogue are more important than labels. Mainstream psychology often misses the range of diversity in people and tries to “normalize” them into a sea of sameness. In Process Oriented Psychology, for example, there are no 7 steps to a cure. This branch of psychology acknowledges that everyone is different. Bedrick is an awareness follower and says, “I’m using my awareness in watching all the communication a person gives me, much of which is not verbal.” He follows what they are showing him until the client reveals their own cure or medicine. He gives many exciting examples in this dynamic dialogue. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

David Bedrick, JD, DIPL PW is a teacher, counselor, attorney, organizational consultant, and writer. He’s a practitioner of Process Oriented Psychology, a branch of Jungian psychology. He did his clinical training at the Process Work Institute which is inspired by the work of Arny Mindell. Bedrick is a diplomate of the Institute. Currently he maintains a practice as a counselor and coach for individuals and groups. He also speaks and writes on topics ranging from ethics, diversity, and relationships, to dreams, diet, body image, anger, and shame.

He’s the author of:

• Talking Back to Dr. Phil: Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology (Belly Song Press 2013)
• Revisioning Activism: Bringing Depth, Dialogue, and Diversity
  to Individual and Social Change (Belly Song Press 2017)

To learn more about David Bedrick’s work go to https://www.davidbedrick.com/

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• How does mainstream psychology try to normalize people
• How family systems label certain members as “identified patient”
• How Bedrick would work with the “black sheep” of a family
• What are some alternatives to medications for ADHD
• How Process Oriented Psychology deals with the beast of anger
• How a client will eventually reveal their own cure or medicine
• Why we must look carefully at our resistance to compromising
• How the diet industry banks on our failure
• Why it is not effective for a therapist to go along with a client’s self diagnosis

Host: Justine Willis Toms        Interview Date: 9/24/2013        Program Number: 3482

Music Playlist

From Album: Oracle
Artist: Michael Hedges
1996 Windham Hill #CSL 02

Opening Essay: Track 01 The 2nd Law
Music Break 1: Track 05 Jitterboogie
Music Break 2: Track 02 Ignition
Music Break 3: Track 07 Gospel