http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2009/01/avatar-abadonment.html#more
The story of a Second Life resident who abandoned her avatar to be able to engage in her RL. Fascinating story, with some wise words in response. I particularly liked this, from Mo Hax:
"Dare I suggest that the closer we live our Second Lives to our real lives the less the need to abandon it entirely. Sure escaping reality is nice but perhaps not disconnecting entirely from reality is key to keeping ourselves in a place we can always live with, come what may, in our Second and First lives."
I have noticed that the more fragmented we keep ourselves in SL, the more secrets, the more separate our "selves" - the easier to fall into a place where we can't feel fully engaged or okay about either life. Very interesting stuff, and I wish Nightflower all the best in rediscovering her RL.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Guiding Lights
Yesterday's kick-off workshop went very well. The group was amazing - full of great questions, feedback, and already providing a safe place for support for one another.
Guiding Lights info here. Added a Questions section for the 1-2 people who may be flummoxed that we...gave the workshop series a name..? lol
Interested people can send Program Coordinator Lemur Asylum an IM or email about getting an application. I think the classes are going to be good, and the group itself is pretty terrific.
Guiding Lights info here. Added a Questions section for the 1-2 people who may be flummoxed that we...gave the workshop series a name..? lol
Interested people can send Program Coordinator Lemur Asylum an IM or email about getting an application. I think the classes are going to be good, and the group itself is pretty terrific.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wellness Island mentioned
The podcast "What The Plurk" mentions Wellness Island and our work there - it's about 2/3 of the way into the podcast.
http://whattheplurk.libsyn.com/
Episode #5
http://whattheplurk.libsyn.com/
Episode #5
What is a "Qualified" Counselor?
I am approached often by new residents who want to start a counseling business in SL. Often enough that I have a small packet of info to send them that answers the most common questions, including things like professional links in-world, groups to join, etc. It also includes some things that can turn off a prospective counselor-to-be, like ethics and what constitutes "qualified" when it comes to calling yourself a counselor or therapist.
Maybe I am missing something. In-world or in RL, I don't see the difference in what makes one qualified to provide mental health services to others. So when someone says "Well, I am not really a counselor in RL but I want to be, and I am a good listener. lol." I sort of wonder what they're thinking. Some have a class or two under their RL belts, some are currently students in good programs, some have no experience or training whatsoever. Most have an idea of setting up a center in SL, making money, and having that grow into a RL business. And a lot of excitement, which I hate to squash.
It's a dilemma, as there is no official verification system in SL for medical and mental health personnel. We are working on one, but what it seems to be is just a formalized version of each of us, who are legitimate practitioners in RL, continuing to follow our licensing boards Codes of Ethics and being honest about who we are, our qualifications, and not practicing outside that scope. Just like RL. This level of honesty has to start with ourselves, though. Again, maybe I am missing something but I don't think it's okay to present myself as a therapist in SL if I can't do the same in RL, say, applying for a job. If I don't have the credentials or training or knowledge in RL, what do I think I am I going to do in SL? (I am not including SL roleplayers here, who clearly state they are roleplayers and not counselors or doctors so everyone knows up front who is who)
SL has a real need for peer counselors, and we provide training for anyone who wants it, free of charge. There is also a need for coaching and other types of support, which may be a good fit for those not trained in providing actual therapy but who want to help others. Even those of us with advanced degrees and RL experience don't get rich on our services. Most of our work is done free of charge, or for a very nominal donation. We do it because we believe this platform has potential for psychosocial education, resources, and support.
I guess I need to channel my concerns into more consumer education in-world and continued work on establishing a credentialing system that has merit. And maybe helping those who, even with minimal training, want to help others in a way that is beneficial to all. But when I see Profiles that advertise "SL's first certified Medical Docter!! [sic]" or "Psycologist!" etc it makes me shake my head and wonder when the first lawsuit is going to come down, and how the fallout will affect those of us working in-world.
Maybe I am missing something. In-world or in RL, I don't see the difference in what makes one qualified to provide mental health services to others. So when someone says "Well, I am not really a counselor in RL but I want to be, and I am a good listener. lol." I sort of wonder what they're thinking. Some have a class or two under their RL belts, some are currently students in good programs, some have no experience or training whatsoever. Most have an idea of setting up a center in SL, making money, and having that grow into a RL business. And a lot of excitement, which I hate to squash.
It's a dilemma, as there is no official verification system in SL for medical and mental health personnel. We are working on one, but what it seems to be is just a formalized version of each of us, who are legitimate practitioners in RL, continuing to follow our licensing boards Codes of Ethics and being honest about who we are, our qualifications, and not practicing outside that scope. Just like RL. This level of honesty has to start with ourselves, though. Again, maybe I am missing something but I don't think it's okay to present myself as a therapist in SL if I can't do the same in RL, say, applying for a job. If I don't have the credentials or training or knowledge in RL, what do I think I am I going to do in SL? (I am not including SL roleplayers here, who clearly state they are roleplayers and not counselors or doctors so everyone knows up front who is who)
SL has a real need for peer counselors, and we provide training for anyone who wants it, free of charge. There is also a need for coaching and other types of support, which may be a good fit for those not trained in providing actual therapy but who want to help others. Even those of us with advanced degrees and RL experience don't get rich on our services. Most of our work is done free of charge, or for a very nominal donation. We do it because we believe this platform has potential for psychosocial education, resources, and support.
I guess I need to channel my concerns into more consumer education in-world and continued work on establishing a credentialing system that has merit. And maybe helping those who, even with minimal training, want to help others in a way that is beneficial to all. But when I see Profiles that advertise "SL's first certified Medical Docter!! [sic]" or "Psycologist!" etc it makes me shake my head and wonder when the first lawsuit is going to come down, and how the fallout will affect those of us working in-world.
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