In Character Convention Lecture: "The Ethics of Telepathy in Counseling"  
Stardate 10406.26 1400 Eastern Terran
Lecturer: Captain Savar, Dr.; CO USS Luna

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Host Captain_Savar says:
::Looks up from his PADD as he hears footsteps::  Hello, Lieutenant.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Afternoon, Captain. I'm interested in your seminar today. ::smiles::
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Looks around::  I'm afraid 'seminar' may not be an appropriate term, unless more people come.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: "Discussion" then. MO: Oh, Tuvok. You and me again, I see. ::laughs::
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Nods to the entering Ensign::  Welcome.
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: Thank you sir.
Ens_Turok says:
::Nods to his shipmate Solaa:: Solaa: Hello Ryn.
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Steeples his fingers::  I would like to begin, if there are no objections...
Ens_Turok says:
::Nods::
Host Captain_Savar says:
To begin, I will introduce myself.  I am Captain Savar, Commanding Officer of the USS Luna.  Formerly, I was the Counselor aboard the Luna, and before that, Arcadia Station.  I am a doctor of psychology and psychiatry.
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Looks at the other two in the room::  You are both Counselors?
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
::laughs:: CO: I am the Counselor aboard his ship ::points to Turok::
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: I'm the MO aboard the Apache.
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Nods at each of their responses::  I'm not certain what each of you expect to get from this... discussion... but I intend to not lecture, but instead make you think and question.
Host Captain_Savar says:
::As another face comes in, he continues::  Thus, perhaps I should open the floor to you - what are your thoughts?
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Well, one of my biggest problem is getting people to come in for Evaluations. Seems irrelevent, but its a big problem.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Most people get tight when I listen to them, and I've been wondering how to loosen them up. Any thoughts?
Ens_Turok says:
ALL: Well no one wants to have their counselor think they may be "off".
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Nods at Turok::  That is an opinion widely held, unfortunately.  It is less of a problem when they are able to admit to their issues.  Otherwise... I find that locking the door helps.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
::laughs::
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Raises an eyebrow::  Lieutenant?
Ens_Turok says:
::Smiles at the thought of Ryn locking her patients in::
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Sorry, sir. I haven't looked the door. Everyone is too scared to run, I think...
Host Captain_Savar says:
Ah, I see.  Someone once told me that a Counselor is just "a friend with training."  If you approach your coworkers as a friend, and not as a Counselor, they may be more open.  Get to know them in informal settings, not just your office.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Yes. I understand. I usually counsel in the Lounge or Holodeck. And dealing with your original disscussion topic, how do you treat patients that are telepathic?
Host Captain_Savar says:
::shakes head::  That was not the intent of my discussion.  My topic was the ethics of a Counselor, who has those telepathic powers, using them in his or her inquiries.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Yes, that too.
Host Captain_Savar says:
As a non-telepathic race, you may not be as affected by this, but I'm certain it comes as interesting.
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: Shouldn't we use every resource available to help our patients, sir?
Host Captain_Savar says:
Should we, Ensign?  There are medications developed that when injected into patients, make them less guarded.  "Truth serums," so to speak.  Are those appropriate to use?
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Absolutely not.
Host Captain_Savar says:
And yet, they would be a resource available to help our patients.
Ens_Turok says:
::Pondering::
Host Captain_Savar says:
One of the main foundations of Counseling is that a patient must be willing to help themselves.  Your job is not to make them better, but to help them make themselves better.
Ens_Turok says:
::Nodding::
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Exactly.
Host Captain_Savar says:
That being said, there are always instances where one does not wish to confront their internal dillemmas.
Host Captain_Savar says:
The grieving process of most humanoid species comes to mind.  "Denial" is a recognized step.
Host Captain_Savar says:
Typically, how does one recognize that someone is grieving?
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Looks around for anyone to answer::
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Behavior contrary to their normal behavior... sadness... affects their work...
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: Atypical behavior, more withdrawn than usual, etc.
Host Captain_Savar says:
To make several assumptions... one would notice atypical behavior by knowing the person, or by noting strange behaviors, sometimes through body language.  Hence, you are using your senses to detect this - sight, sound, and the like.
Host Captain_Savar says:
The sadness, then... is it appropriate to use another sense - telepathy - to detect?
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: Possibly, but the counselor must keep anything they find to themsleves I would think.
CO_Capt_Woo says:
:: quietly steps into the room and takes a seat in the back::
Host Captain_Savar says:
Turok: Certainly.  Patient-Doctor confidentiality is key.  But, I repeat the question - is using telepathy in that instance any different from using another sense?
Ens_Turok says:
Savak: I would say no.
Host Captain_Savar says:
Why.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: I don't think so. You are just using it more deeply, probing for feelings and stray thoughts in a more concentrated manor is all.
Ens_Turok says:
Savak: I believe it is a tool like any other. We would watch the patient for any abnormal signs, we should be able to use any sense available to us. I also think we must realize, as you said, that if we do find concerns, we must the patient will come to us, or we may need to use a gentle nudge.
Host Captain_Savar says:
Solaa: Very well.  Put yourself in their shoes for a moment, though.  Despite the fact that they cannot control their body language... would you want someone "in your head"?
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Only if I knew it would help me sort out my feelings.
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Nods::  But some people are not willing to face their own feelings.  What about in those instances?
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
CO: Hmm... Can you tell if someone is "in your head?"
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: If it doesn't affect their work, should we get involved at all?
Host Captain_Savar says:
Personally, I can.  But others may not be able to.  Does that make it right, then?
CO_Capt_Woo says:
:: raises hand :: Savar: I should think that if one is seeing a counselor, one would be in a very vulnerable position, uncertain of himself, uneasy, very self-conscious... the last thing I would want is for a telepath to probe my own thoughts, which I would regard, in such a vulnerable state, to be the last thing not shown to the public...
CO_Capt_Woo says:
... in such a case, my thoughts remain my own, despite the fact that in my vulnerable state, I would feel as if the entire world was watching me, with my emotions bare, and I wouldn't want a telepath violating that privacy. :: shrugs ::
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
::nods understandingly::
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Looks at Turok, wondering if he will respond - earlier, he was convinced about using every tool available::
Host Captain_Savar says:
Woo: What about those cases where people willingly seek a Counselor, but may not be able to adequately speak their mind?  A telepathic counselor would be able to directly read the mind, and know.
Ens_Turok says:
ALL: Will it do more harm than good to use telepathy is the question and unfortunely you don't know until you have done it.
Ens_Turok says:
Savak: If the patient is willing then by all means use it, sir.
CO_Capt_Woo says:
Savar: But only after he's been given explicit authorization from the patient. Earlier, you asked whether telepathy was like any other sense. Whereas by talking, you obtain information from the patient, through observing with your eyes you interpret body language, with telepathy you are almost forceably taking information from the patient.
Host Captain_Savar says:
Woo: Captain, the impressions received from body language... those are different from detecting the most basic and surface of emotions?
CO_Capt_Woo says:
:: smiles :: Savar: We all can tell when a loved one is happy, or angry with us or something... that is intuition, that is recognizing the signs. But telepathy goes much farther than that. Too far, in my opinion.
Ens_Turok says:
ALL: Would be observe a patient visually without their knowledge in an evaluation? Then why shouldn't we use telepathy for evaluation without the patients knowledge?
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Looks at Captain Woo, wondering if he would like to offer his opinion::
CO_Capt_Woo says:
:: raises his eyebrows :: Turok: WOULD you observe a patient visually without their knowledge in an evaluation?
CO_Capt_Woo says:
Turok: When you observe someone visually, you're not violating anything - that person has no control over what you see and how he looks. But he should and does have complete control over his own thoughts.
Host Captain_Savar says:
Woo: You believe that people have complete control over their thoughts and emotions?
Ens_Turok says:
Woo: To get a true representation of the person I would.
CO_Capt_Woo says:
:: rolls eyes :: Savar: As far as being able to share them with whomever they choose.
Host Captain_Savar says:
That's controlling the expression of those thoughts and emotions - not the control of them themselves.
CO_Capt_Woo says:
Savar: That they cannot control their thoughts, that hardly grants a telepath the right to peer into those thoughts.
Ens_Turok says:
Woo: If after the death of a loved one the patient had serious thoughts of suicide should we not know that and take whatever measures were called for?
CO_Capt_Woo says:
Turok: After you do that, what's to stop society from deciding that all citizens should be monitored for... suicidal thoughts? Or any other dangerous thoughts, for that matter?
CO_Capt_Woo says:
:: laughs :: But I suspect *that* is beyond a seminar on counseling.
Ens_Turok says:
Woo: So we should instead let the person suffer or possibly die when we might be able to help ease some of the pain?
CO_Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Lesser of two evils, ensign, lesser of two evils.
Ens_Turok says:
ALL: I believe in most circumstance we should limit or eliminate the use of telepathy, however there are cases I believe it to be warranted.
Ens_Turok says:
ALL: I don't want someone poking around in my mind for no reason, however if I pose a threat to myself, my crewmates or my ship, I believe that any tool should be used for protection.
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Shifts, gathering everyone's attention::  Well, I hope that this discussion has made you think about the possibilities and issues.
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: Excellent lecture sir.  ::Appaluding::
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Waves off the applause::  Hardly a lecture, I would say
Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Hope to see you in the cafeteria later sir.
Ens_Turok says:
Ryn: Have fun at the rest of your lectures today, Ryn.
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
Turok: Thanks, Turok. I will. ::smiles::
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
Woo/Savar: It was very insightful. Thank you both, sirs. ::grins:: I've gained a new perspective on telepathy.
Ens_Turok says:
Savar: I hope to attend another of your lectures sir, live long and prosper. ::Giving traditional vulcan salute::
Host Captain_Savar says:
::Nods::  Thank you all for your insights.
CO_Capt_Woo says:
All: Yes, I will see you folks in the cafeteria. Savar: Captain. ::smiles, and nods::
CNS_LtJG_Ryn_Solaa says:
::exits the room::
Ens_Turok says:
::Quietly exits the room::