Hospitality towards psyche (original) (raw)

Clinical Hospitality

Ata: Journal of Psychotherapy Aotearoa New Zealand, 2012

Three French philosophers of the late twentieth century devoted themselves to the discourse of hospitality: Emmanuel Lévinas, Jacques Derrida, and Paul Ricœur. Here we mine their insights for understanding of what some are calling an “ethical turn” in contemporary psychoanalysis. In particular, we consider the impossible tensions between needs and limits, responsibilities and resources, in general and in the clinical situation, and the resulting necessity for mourning. From Lévinas we hear the demand of infinite and asymmetric responsibility to the widow, the orphan and the stranger who arrives unexpectedly to interrupt our comfortable life. My response to the other — who speaks the “do not kill me” word — constitutes my subjectivity. Lévinas took up the Talmudic discussion of the story of Abraham, who welcomed the three Arab strangers into his open tent, not knowing they were angels. Lévinas considered the necessity to limit, in practical terms, the unlimited responsibility tha...

Hospitality in hospitals: The importance of caring about the patient

Evidence suggests that hospital patients receive the medical treatment they need but are sometimes left feeling depersonalized and alienated with their overall treatment. This New Zealand study explored the lived experience of hospitality among adults during their recent hospital stay. A hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was used to design and conduct the study. Seven participants, aged 22 to 65 years, who had spent at least three days in a hospital for elective surgery were purposively recruited. Data were gathered using semi-structured, conversational-style individual interviews. Participant-validated, coherent stories were drawn from the transcripts and analysed. The findings revealed that hospitality showed itself in different ways to the participants. When present, they experienced feelings of comfort, of being at ease and of being healed. The implications for health care practitioners are that offering often small, yet heartfelt acts of hospitality may evoke powerful lived experiences that benefit the patient, suggesting that caring about the patient is an important element of the healing process.

Discussing the Nature of Hospitality

Discussing the nature of Hospitality: why alcohol is present in these types of rites?. Volume 2, Issue 2. July 2013. (pp. 51-74) International Journal of Human Potential Development. Society for Human and Social Potential Development, Kanpur, India. ISSN 2277-1980

Abstract The encounter between hosts and guests may be troublesome from many perspectives. Sometimes tourists are targets of criminal activity, but others they are involved in illegality consumption of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol seems to be present in almost all tourist destinations, and some policy makers suggested to officials to restrict its consumption in public events, and hotels. We early said “troublesome” simply because guests are not familiar with the visited city, which merits protection. At the same time, hosts do trace the history or antecedents of tourists by means of diverse mechanism which ranges from Visa to steps for identity validation at airports. Going beyond the boundaries of home, people experience an increase of uncertainty and fear, which is reduced by means of hospitality. Not only tourists but also natives feel a wide-range sentiment of distrust each other. This means that hospitality is something more than a hotel industry or a sign of good manner. Hospitality represents an ancient institution that facilitates the encounter of travellers, eliminating not only the risks but also their differences. Alcohol, Music, Sex, Banquets and Foods are part of the instrument to make this encounter more suitable. Hospitality traverses all cultures and times. As a result of this, one might question, is alcohol a problem for leisure and tourism?. Alcohol is of paramount importance in order for ensuring the success of tourist encounters. This paper explores the connection of tourism, hospitality and alcohol from an anthropological view. Unlike the existent specialized literature that emphasizes on the negative or effects resulted from the abuse of alcohol, this research proposes a new theory, where alcohol is the stepping stone of hospitality and also an important piece of tourism as well. Key Words. Encounter, Liminiality, Anxiety, Alcohol-Consumption, State, and Hospitality.

A Commencement Charge to Therapists of Psyche and Soul

Journal of Religion & Health, 2003

This article is from a commencement address delivered to the 2003 graduates of the Blanton-Peale Institute. It emphasizes the world's need for therapists who stand at the crossroad of psychology and religion. The concept of temenos is used to emphasize the need for making the consulting room a safe place away from the distraction of the outside world. The graduates are further charged with attending fully to those who come to them seeking help. Finally, they are challenged to find ways to encourage a poetics of reverie in their own lives and in those for whom they care.

Thomas (2012). Psychotherapist Self-Care.

REFERENCE: Thomas, F. N. (2012, in press). Psychotherapist self-care: Resourcefulness across one's career. In H. Schemmel and J. Schaller (Ed.), Ressourcen: Ein Hand-und Lesebuch zur therapeutischen Arbeit (2 nd ed.). Dgvt-Verlag.