Academia is a critical part of any scientific or medical practice. It provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and research findings that form the foundation of these fields. But in a field like talk therapy, which relies on nuance and circumstance, academia also has its limitations.
On the other hand, taking an approach to the practice which blends personal feelings, experiences, and biases alone can be equally as dangerous to patients and their providers.
The challenge of striking this balance is something that Dhwani Shah has embraced with unwavering determination throughout his journey in the field.
Dhwani is the author of ‘The Analyst’s Torment: Unbearable Mental States in Countertransference’, a book which tackles and demystifies this complex dynamic of ‘self’ within the patient-therapist relationship. From his life experience to his studies and private practice, Dhwani’s story epitomizes this delicate balance between knowledge and authenticity, –between simply knowing and truly being.
In this episode of the Art of Listening, Dhwani will share with us his journey in the art of listening. We will learn how he navigated the challenges of integrating personal experiences and biases while maintaining professional boundaries, and tell us how these situations have helped him improve as a listener.
Chapters
1 - Dhwani's life at home, and experience as an Immigrant in the US (3:13)
2 - How Dhwani’s perspective of the field changed over time (7:56)
3 - Overcoming human barriers (11:30)
4 - How to show true, authentic empathy (20:30)
5 - Authentic and inauthentic listening practices (26:42)
6 - Dhwani's current studies (29:14)
Links
Freedom to Explore: The Magic of Play in the Therapeutic Setting, with Sarah Abel
Unveiling the Inner Canvas: The Neuropsychology of Creativity and Imagination, with Rosa Aurora Chavez
The Path to Self-Empowerment: Prioritizing Well-Being and Self-Care with Jamie Cromer Grue
Cultural Identity within Psychoanalysis: Reframing the Asian American Experience, with Kris Yi
A Moment of Reflection: Learning from Your Listening Experience
Setting a Tone: How Music Connects Us to Our Innermost Being with Paula Kliger
A Leap of Faith: Spirituality in the Therapeutic Encounter with Amelio D’Onofrio
From Connection to Everlasting Love: How Listening Cultivates Successful Relationships with Enrico Gnaulati
Finding Love in Difference: A Queer Lens on Psychoanalysis with Justin Shubert
The Healing Power of Truth: Making Contact Where Suffering Lies with Gloria Myers Beller
Endings and Beginnings: Retirement as Reinvention with Marti Peck
Holiday Greeting
Between Body, Mind, Heart & Soul: Expressing and Connecting with Johanna Arenaza
I Could Be You, You Could Be Me: Embracing Our Shared Humanity with Koichi Togashi
Grief as a Catalyst: The Philosophical Dimensions of Mourning with Jonathan Lear
The Call of the Soul: Connection as a gateway with Dan Perlitz
Intent to understand: Embracing human limits as our ultimate guide with Nancy McWilliams
Human to Human: Taking action to bring human connection back to therapy with Linda Michaels
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