Coherence, coordinated action and intentional acts of peace: training case workers to react without thinking

Abstract

Social workers and therapists experience ‘attacks’, observe family members ‘attack’ one another and yet must put aside whatever internal reactions they may have and act in a way that is best for their clients. Speed of reaction can be critical. A “mindless” or “un-minded” reaction is faster than one that is mediated by an imposed “good conscience” or professional code of ethics. Constantly managing this process is hard work, and may contribute to “burn out”. This paper explores how to change that moment of repressing an undesired internal reaction to turn it into an ability to make (re)actions that are instantaneous, coherent, intentional acts of peace. It asserts that communicative interaction is the primary human process that creates, changes and maintains social and physical reality. It uses the unified communication theory CMM to discuss the moral operations of response to what is conceived of as “an attack”; describe some problems with the paradox of Pacifism; review the phenomenon of Neuroplasticity; and use a case study to explain the philosophy and practice of Aikido as a useful heuristic to show how managed coherence can be used in training therapists, social workers and others in high conflict situations to produce ‘a powerful pacifism’ as an ongoing way of life. It places philosophy (contextual stories) at the heart of action, to empower persons in conflict to “act well” without thinking. It therefore relates to the issues of neutrality, critical therapy, and intervention via an overarching practice of an ethic of care.