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pegasus said:
Edahn, welcome to Psych Central. This is a SUPPORT community. It is not a debating or berating place so please be mindful of that when talking with other members.
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I think you should read my last post again. My intent IS TO SUPPORT, but support doesn't just mean you offer hugs when they're requested (overtly or subtly). To give support, as I've already said, requires that you look into the problem and what the real issue is. I have NOT berated anyone, and if you choose to view my comments as debate, that's up to you. I consider it an open discussion about difficult issues that will not always be warmly accepted.
If that atmosphere you want to create here is saccharine and shallow, be my guest. If that atmosphere you want to create here is honest, investigative, and therapeutic, then I ask you not censor me.
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You do have much to learn when joining a supportive community such as this. Most people have their own therapist and are not looking for another therapist, or someone to point out what they feel is wrong with how people support each other here.
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But I thought this is a place for support? You can't have your cake and eat it too. By pointing out what's wrong with hugging, my intention was to BE therapeutic, as I've now said a few times.
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Besides that, if you are trying to become a therapist or are a therapist the very first thing you need to learn is EMPATHY! Hugs = empathy and understanding.
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Please. I haven't doubted that at all. I've questioned the wisdom of burying someone in hugs who's trying to avoid certain feelings. I think it's ironic that you're calling ME out for not being empathic, when all I've tried to do is investigate Storm's state of mind and issue, which requires a great deal of empathy.