Message from the Superintendent (August 28, 2007)

“The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.” - Johann von Goethe

“A therapeutic alliance is non-judgmental; it is nourishing; and finally it is a relationship
of complete trust. Perhaps persons who have never experienced this alliance will seek it. I believe it can make an insecure person secure; a frightened person less frightened; and allow a person to continue the journey of mental health with a sense of belief in oneself.” - VALERIE FOX, Mental Health Service Consumer .

I wanted to take a moment and speak to something I observed this week. It is something I have witnessed many times here at Riverview. It is something which always impresses me: A care provider leveraging goodwill, trust, and mutual respect to assist a client in taking a chance. Trusting more than fearing, to accept something otherwise they would refuse.

I have seen persons light up, gain hope, make changes in their lives, when they sense someone genuinely cares for them, someone genuinely listens to what they are saying, what they are feeling. We all have seen persons greatly effected by a savage mental illness be positively affected by a person whom they trust, who they can risk in.

Some of those we serve have notorious reputations and significantly negative behaviors, but as we can avoid allowing ourselves to define the person by these behaviors, we can create a relationship based on respect and service. No easy task. While we should not condone maladaptive, aggressive, or socially reprehensible behavior, we should continue to show like for the person, respect for their dignity, to care what happens to the person.

Is that asking too much?

Is that not asking enough?

The strongest single intervention we have in being psychiatric care providers assisting persons served in their journey of recovery is “Therapeutic Alliance”. Some might describe the process of developing the therapeutic alliance as one of “spirit making,” providers able to truly investing in a person served, believing in them. This can have an enormous positive impact on the self-esteem of the person served, their hope and subsequent their motivation to do the hard work of recovery. Look around you today, tomorrow, and from here out. Find those exceptional co-workers you share your work day with that establish authentic therapeutic relationships with the clients they serve. Pat them on their back, tell them good job and do like me and try to emulate them as you can. This ability to connect in an honest meaningful way is not easy and takes persistence, reflection, and a deep dedication. Staff who do this easily and consistently even with those clients who are difficult to connect with are worthy of admiration and are truly outstanding care providers!

Thanks to Sue Morry, MHW and Co Chair of Behavioral Risk for helping get this transport bags together and on both upper units -- so there are supplies are readily available to staff if they need them to care for a client. Good job Sue.

I wish everyone reading this that they have the opportunity to enjoy the ending of summer and beginning of the fall – my favorite time of the year. The turning of the leaves, chill in the air, ducks on the wing ….

As always, thank you for your good work.

In Service,

David S. Proffitt

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. - Dr. Seuss

Agency information

Message from the Superintendent (August 28, 2007)