A critical review of the antecedents of enabling communities

This study is part of ongoing research into the historical background of the practice of discerning compassion. The methods used include archival research and the reading of primary and secondary literature.In particular, it becomes clear that this way of working is always going to be problematic for political authorities as it promotes the questioning of accepted beliefs. This study emphasises that the core concepts underlying enabling community practice reach deep into the past and involve events not usually associated with the traditional histories of the approach. In particular, exploring outside of the traditional mental hospital background reveals a greater involvement of women than previously demonstrated. There are processes that have deep historical roots, the culture of enquiry, the benefits of mutual support and the understanding that people flourish better interacting with each other in a supportive and trusting environment rather than through coercion and instruction.As with all historical research, this paper is limited by the resources available to examine particular events.Recognition of the importance of historical enquiry as relevant to present-day practice.Historical enquiry helps to acknowledge the importance of social events in shaping our present understanding. As W.H. Rivers argues, we have to understand what happened in the past before comprehending why present sociological events occur.This paper is a unique enquiry into the early historical anteceden...
Source: Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research