A Politico Test for Trust

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Is it any wonder that, as revelations of corruption and abuse of power grow in America and across the world, that distrust has fueled the anger in the protests of our day?

Distrust is the emotion that is triggered  by vulnerability and real threat by someone you have trusted not to abuse you. The rupture of trust is more widespread now than any other time in history. Think of the military, church groups, the prison system, big oil, corporate pollution, contract workers, big pharm, compromised science, voter manipulation, bank fraud, insider brokers - please stop me!

I trust you

Strangely, our elected representatives undergo no test for trust. In fact, the qualifications for most every other job seeker require more credentialing, training, testing, certification and background checks than those who represent us so directly. Often, the black marks emerge only after one is in office. As Bill Maher said: don't wait too long to run for office, or someone soon will sling mud on you!

All those who run for office have the same emotions as you and I, and use their emotions to both guide them and to give them energy. All can be tested for trustfulness using all or portions of well-validated, reliable psychological tests. One such test, the MMPI, besides being a personality test, has built-in scales for the tendency to lie, to look too good, to be defensive and cover up, and to have reliable answers. Still other scales are for psychopathy, ego strength, ability to trust, and many others.

If we were serious about the trust we wish to place in our elected representatives, wouldn't a commission of qualified members be able to produce testing for both desirable and undesirable traits? Traits such as honesty, trustworthiness, emotional balance, empathy, and more?  Doesn't this program suit the evaluation of your world leaders as well, and be a part of the United Nations charter?  Off the top of your head, you can think of leaders who would be disqualified.

Why do we take such a hands-off approach to the emotional stability of our elected leaders when they have some of the most responsible, demanding jobs on earth? Our campaigning and electoral process have been compared to a circus sideshow!

Wouldn't you really like to know the candidate's capabilities for trust, honesty and openness?

About Dr. Raynard

Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.

Encounter - Healing for the Lonely

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Weiss concluded in 1973 that he was woefully at a loss to help the emotionally lonely, the person who has no intimate, tell-the-truth companion. Yet, at the same time, the encounter group movement was in full swing, a remarkable social invention that has faded from popular memory.



Encounter



Encounter groups sprang up from earlier sensitivity training groups of the '50's and were adopted into the human potential movement of the '60's.  The idea was to become all you were meant to be, following Maslow and others.

Rules of encounter group were:

1) we only talk of the here and now

2) we focus on ourselves and our relations with others in the group

3) we express our feelings, not judgments

4) we agree to give helpful feedback to others

Helpful feedback is defined as:

• Timely and immediate, not delayed                   
• Specific, rather than general
• Invited, rather than imposed
• Descriptive, not evaluative 
• Feelings, not judgments
• Checked out, by repeating the message
• Considering the person's needs he can act on

The purpose was to discover your real self and the other's real self, and not get stuck in stories, drama, troubles, advice, and variants of other group therapies.  Exercises helped you reveal yourself.  Some groups were marathon in length, lasting 24 hours or whole weekends; others were weekly. The leader was called a facilitator, not a therapist or director.  He actually led by example: openness, trust, and honesty.

The results were remarkable.  For most, it was bliss: they could be themselves and feel validated and enlarged. All felt accepted for who they are, which was all they needed to be. The inner peace lasted for days and weeks.

The power of these groups began to be perverted by charismatic and self-absorbed leaders and they gradually faded away.  I revive their past so that you can believe that your emotional loneliness can end anytime you find a companion with whom you can speak the unadorned truth and be accepted. Only honest, helpful feedback, no advice or judgment.

Trust is established; your truths shine brightly; you see you are more than you think; you feel growing capabilities.  You are no longer stranger to yourself, or anyone, anymore.

Loneliness is overcome in short order in an honest, intimate relation.  Do you have the courage? Are you ready to sing your own song?

About Dr. Raynard
Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.