Organismic self regulation implications in gambling treatment

Organismic self regulation and itsimplications in problem gamblingtreatment

Organismic Self Regula1on 1. Intro – Holism vs. Scientific Method or Medical Diagnosis Models of Physical Health Models of Mental Health Scientism and the Medical Model Psychological Health as it is experienced subjectively

Organismic Self Regula1on 2. A Definition of Organismic Self Regulation Needs disturb the homeostasis of a person. A healthy person when aware of a need has the emotional and intellectual capabilities to act to satisfy the need and return to balance. An unhealthy person is often unable to act to regain homeostasis However, the body has an automatic self-­‐regulating mechanism to ensure a return to homeostasis.

Organismic Self Regula1on 3. Shouldistic vs Oraganismic Self Regulation Human regulation is to varying degrees either (a) “organismic” or (b) "shouldistic,“ There is only one thing that should control: the situation Ability to respond to the environment, to have a wide range of potentially appropriate choices

Organismic Self Regula1on 4. The need for awareness Most transactions are handled by automatic, habitual modes, with minimal awareness. Psychotherapy is a method of increasing awareness and gaining meaningful choice and responsibility

Organismic Self Regula1on 5. Blockages to the Awareness of Regulation and the Disruption of Regulation Naturalness is crux of the psychological processes. Considering organisms as intelligent, any attempt to control or manipulate causes organic imbalance. In that any attempt of directing a change is accustomed to producing the opposite effect Decisions and Preferences

Organismic Self Regula1on 6. Phenomenological Awareness What comes out of the defused background and becomes "figural“ The presence of shame Use of bracketing Self Awareness of the therapist

Organismic Self Regula1on 7. Where “shoulds” come from? Do I bite into something, chew it up thoroughly, spit out what I don't like, and assimilate what I find nourishing and healthy, or do I "swallow whole" what others have told me to whether I like it or not?

Organismic Self Regula1on 8. Acceptance and Responsibility Being in contact with what is actually happening, identifying and trusting what one genuinely feels and wants, and being honest with self and others about what one is actually able and willing to do or not willing to do. Self-­‐knowledge, acceptance, and growth by immersion in current existence, aligning contact, awareness, and experimentation with what is actually happening at the moment.

Organismic Self Regula1on 9. Implications on Gambling Counselling practice Client’s mandate Suppression of symptoms vs. holistic healing Complexity of treatment vs. length of treatment Our own organismic self regulation What is the environment that we are operating in? How are we responding to the pressures and expectations of our role? What “shoulds” are we carrying into the counselling space?

Peter Harris harrisp@missionaustralia.com.au Ph: (02) 9280 3270 (m) 0402 833 562 Renewaltherpiesaustralia.weebly.com