Problem- vs. Growth-Oriented in Mental Issues
This may lead to diametrically opposed ways of being and many misunderstandings.
As a mindset.
All of us continually encounter issues, from minor to life-size. This way, there is ample occasion to practice in seeing them either as problems or as invitations to grow.
Problems may lead more generally to stress; invitations to positive challenges ― no stress.
Yet, they are the same issues.
Outside ― inside
Looking at issues from the outside is more amenable to experiencing them as problems. One just wants to get rid of them.
By opening the packages, one may encounter fertile soil for growth.
The primary goal then may become very different.
Socio-politics
This is one way – of which there are many – to probably understand somewhat better the difference between a more progressive and a more conservative mindset.
Being more growth-oriented, one is also more focused on future possibilities. New challenges bring new solutions. So, should we not progress towards these better goods?
Being more problem-oriented, one focuses on the issues that need to be solved now. The problems themselves may be perceived as originating from disrespect for what already has been solved in the past. So, should we not conserve the goods that we already have?
Therapy
In Western medicine – and psychotherapy as its little sibling – the orientation is mostly an implicit mindset of problem-orientedness ― also known as solution-orientedness where the solution lies in diminishing the problem.
(This doesn’t necessarily denote political orientation.)
In many cases, this leads to symptomatic therapy also when it’s not ideal. [see: “Against Symptomatic Therapy”] The consequence may be a huge cost and little effectiveness. Moreover, people should know that this is a decision, not a necessity.
It should not be an implicit decision. It should be explicit as to patient consent. It may be, to the patient/client, the most important decision.
Problem vs. growth may lead to troubles in therapy
if people don’t appreciate the difference well enough. For instance, a patient/client may think that ‘attacking the problem’ is the goal of some therapy. With a caregiver having growth in mind, they talk past each other. A consequence may be that the client turns into a self-defeating orientation.
This may happen when one seeks psychotherapy in formal meditation.
AURELIS in this landscape
AURELIS is mainly growth-oriented, taking the problem (symptom, illness) as an entry for reaching the level where growth is possible. Diminishing a health-related problem is a side effect of this underlying endeavor.
AURELIS is also much broader than coaching.
It is a future-oriented mindset that – let’s hope so – is also rooted well enough in the past and the present.
Related Posts
No Time to Waste on Subconceptual Processing
In many issues, with ‘no time to waste,’ we end up with no time at all. Wildfires One can be busy extinguishing wildfires and have no time to think about climate change causing these wildfires. Of course, the wildfires need to be extinguished. But with no attention to climate change, there will be more wildfires, Read the full article…
The Water and the Jug
Constructionism in a poem. Please read [see: “Constructionism“] But let’s start with the poem. Form of water The form of water in a jug is the form of the jug without jug. But without jug the water flows away immediately spontaneously. ▪▪▪ The form of content in form is the form of form without form. Read the full article…
Why People can Believe in Anything
People can believe almost anything, and often with deep sincerity. This is not necessarily a failure of intelligence or education, but a consequence of how the human mind seeks coherence. What feels like common sense from the inside may look irrational from the outside. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in a world where belief systems Read the full article…