New Listener Topics
@k0m0rebi Hi! I kind of like this idea!
Any listener here at 7 Cups should be able to help you to feel heard, valued and understood. If you want to infodump, that should be OK. Listeners are here to listen to whatever you want to say to us.
Unfortunately, some listeners do not agree with this approach. They think it's important for a listener to diagnose a mental disorder like anxiety or depression, form a treatment plan, and help you to cope with the disorder they think you have.
If you want to talk about your favourite subjects, and you want to be heard, valued and understood, you can make that clear at the start of the chat. I suggest you say something like:
"I have things to talk about and I just need to be heard. Is that OK?"
If the listener is not OK with that, then block the conversation and report the listener for being unhelpful.
If the listener asks you to take any kind of test, or mentions a diagnosis or treatment plan, then block the conversation and report the listener for being unhelpful.
Listeners who try to perform any kind of assessment, diagnosis or treatment without your consent can be encouraged to contact a mentor who will help them improve their approach to listening.
Our list of subjects already has ADHD. I can see that adding infodumping might have some value, but I'm not sure. You can Submit a request in the Help Center to request the change, but ideas submitted by the community are hardly ever implemented.
I know that @sunlightspirit is interested in best practice for listeners, and might have something to add.
Charlie
@kOmOrebi, @RarelyCharlie
Thank you Charlie for bringing this to my attention and to Orebi for the idea of "infodumping" which I think is an excellent idea for a subject to choose from in a request. A good listener will begin with a warm introduction and explore the present problem/concern and if that is the Member "just want sto dump out their thoughts and feelings", then the empathetic listener will appreciate those needs and be there for the Member. Thge Listener should set the stage with a few boundaries of the chat so there is mutual understanding of what to expect including creating a safe enviroment to open up and express thoughts and feelings. There should never be any advice, analysis or dignosis/treatment in any type of conversation from a listener. Advice undermines the Member's ability to make their own decisions; analysis is a listeners view point or stance and without a license to treat an individual a diganosis would be inappropriate. The main idea here at 7 cups is for listeners to "listen" so that members who reach out feel heard regardless of the subject presented.
