Vision & Counseling
From my viewpoint as a developmental optometrist, the ideal counseling experience for the patient is to be under treatment by a developmental optometrist prior to and during counseling with the counselor aware of the influence that patient’s unique vision system has on the patient’s ability to communicate with the counselor, other individuals, the patient’s environment, and with him/herself.
From my viewpoint as a developmental optometrist, the ideal counseling experience for the patient is to be under treatment by a developmental optometrist prior to and during counseling with the counselor aware of the influence that patient’s unique vision system has on the patient’s ability to communicate with the counselor, other individuals, the patient’s environment, and with him/herself.
The patient/client’s unique vision system can make a difference to the counselor as to among other things*:
1. How close the counselor is physically located from the patient.
2. Whether to emphasize the past present or the future in discussing issues.
3. Whether to expect immediate answers or give the client time to ponder.
4. Whether the client is ready to face suppression, denial, repression.
5. The lighting and environment of the counseling room.
6. Is the patient capable of only directed activity, or is he or she ready for self directed or even directing others?
1. How close the counselor is physically located from the patient.
2. Whether to emphasize the past present or the future in discussing issues.
3. Whether to expect immediate answers or give the client time to ponder.
4. Whether the client is ready to face suppression, denial, repression.
5. The lighting and environment of the counseling room.
6. Is the patient capable of only directed activity, or is he or she ready for self directed or even directing others?
Vision therapy for the client prior to and/or during counseling is valuable to the patient and the counselor in achieving each’s goals. Treatment may be more rapid and effective as well as easier.
Considering the above, it stands to reason that not only the client/patient but the counselor and the optometrist will benefit from personal optometric vision therapy so each’s vision system is performing to its potential. As an example, if your vision system requires large personal space and you need to communicate with someone who better communicates in close space you are under more stress than necessary. Through vision therapy you could handle either personal space. I noted a vast improvement in my abilities as an optometrist after I completed vision therapy.
This is written from a developmental optometric viewpoint but possibly both the optometrist and the counselor may benefit from counseling. Yet, that is the purview of the counselor.
Considering the above, it stands to reason that not only the client/patient but the counselor and the optometrist will benefit from personal optometric vision therapy so each’s vision system is performing to its potential. As an example, if your vision system requires large personal space and you need to communicate with someone who better communicates in close space you are under more stress than necessary. Through vision therapy you could handle either personal space. I noted a vast improvement in my abilities as an optometrist after I completed vision therapy.
This is written from a developmental optometric viewpoint but possibly both the optometrist and the counselor may benefit from counseling. Yet, that is the purview of the counselor.
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Why is it valuable for a counselor to be aware of the vision system of the patient? First, good communication requires good vision. Each word you convey is based on a visualization. The better one can visualize the better one can communicate. It would be good for you to know ways to better communicate based on your client’s vision system. Also, the better your vision the better you can communicate as well as adapt to the patient’s style of communication. |
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Secondly, emotion takes place through vision. I feel you would agree that communication and emotion are major parts of counseling. Thus, you have plenty of reason to be informed about vision as communication and emotion are controlled by the vision system.
So let’s take a look at your client’s vision. But first before we do, may I make a disclaimer. I am sharing how people function according to their vision conditions. There are always exceptions due to varying degrees of peoples’ abilities to adapt to their environment. Also there are at least 12 different visual conditions giving 144 possibilities of combinations, and that is a minimum. I will explain general guidelines that will be helpful the majority of the time.
There are simple basics that can be a starting place to understand vision and behavior. I call them the basic five. The basic 5:
So let’s take a look at your client’s vision. But first before we do, may I make a disclaimer. I am sharing how people function according to their vision conditions. There are always exceptions due to varying degrees of peoples’ abilities to adapt to their environment. Also there are at least 12 different visual conditions giving 144 possibilities of combinations, and that is a minimum. I will explain general guidelines that will be helpful the majority of the time.
There are simple basics that can be a starting place to understand vision and behavior. I call them the basic five. The basic 5:
1. .Nearsighted people are more sensitive detail oriented and think in the past.
2.Farsighted people are less sensitive globally oriented and think in the future.
3.Exo’s need space and are other people centered.
4.Eso’s have a close space world and are self centered
5.Strabismic’s (either exo or eso) are strong willed.
This paper is limited to the basic five. More elaboration is available in my original 18 page paper.
* Disclaimer: This paper is my opinion based on more than 40 years of clinical experience. It would be impossible to give credit to the sources from which I have garnered this information. This is a short version. An 18-page version is available.
2.Farsighted people are less sensitive globally oriented and think in the future.
3.Exo’s need space and are other people centered.
4.Eso’s have a close space world and are self centered
5.Strabismic’s (either exo or eso) are strong willed.
This paper is limited to the basic five. More elaboration is available in my original 18 page paper.
* Disclaimer: This paper is my opinion based on more than 40 years of clinical experience. It would be impossible to give credit to the sources from which I have garnered this information. This is a short version. An 18-page version is available.