Citation

Esten G, Willmott L. Women Ther. 1994; 14(3-4): 29-41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J015v14n03_05

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper illustrates and discusses ways that conflicting communications regarding disability create a double bind for the therapist, client, or both. The client with a disability finds it is difficult to see herself as whole in a society that divides the sick and the healthy into two distinct groups. Due to preconceived attitudes and assumptions, therapists frequently either focus entirely on the disability-reducing the client to a collection of symptoms-or minimize the disability-conveying to the client that she is not acceptable having a disability. Due to their own inability to incorporate their healthy, functioning self with their disability, clients themselves give contradictory messages to how much attention they want paid to their disability. Thus, both therapist and client create a bind of contradiction which results in uncertainty regarding what is best for the client to achieve successful integration in therapy; any message left unclarified will impede-or perhaps destroy-the therapeutic process. Through citations of personal experiences coupled with references to existing literature, the authors suggest guidelines for the therapist working with her client is disabled.