It occurs to me that some couples who have difficulty relating or working through problems could benefit from exchanging tweets under the umbrella of a relationship counselor.
It has several advantages over the traditional method of the estranged parties meeting at the office of the relationship counselor.
For a start, the parties don’t have to travel to a mutual venue. And they don’t have to face each other’s physical presence at a difficult time. And that might suit some people.
I’m not suggesting the parties never meet. That would be silly. The parties would have to meet the relationship counselor at least once to talk things through and decide whether tweeting messages is a viable method of expression for the parties.
But if they like the idea of relating via tweets and having it all done under the eye of the relationship counselor then it’s not difficult to set up.
Let’s Do It
Let’s do it for Tom and Gerri and the relationship counselor (RC)
RC sets up a new account (let’s call it twitter.com/RC101) and clicks protect my updates in Settings. That way the contents are protected. Which means that only people who are invited can see the messages that are posted there.
Meanwhile, Tom and Gerri each set up their own Twitter account and also click protect my updates in their Settings.
All of them then tell the others the name of their twitter account and then Tom and Gerri each sends a request to be admitted to see the messages on twitter.com/RC101.
The relationship counselor accepts Tom and Gerri.
The important thing is that Tom and Gerri do not ask or accept each other.
Let’s see what we have got now.
Tom and Gerri post messages on their accounts and they show up on RC’s twitter page and by virtue of that, Tom and Gerri can see each other’s tweets.
But because they have not asked to see each other’s tweets directly, they cannot send private messages to each other. So everything they say is seen by RC, and Tom and Gerri know that.
And of course, RC can see and tweet and also private message because he/she is the link in the middle of the chain.
And a happy and successful 2009 to all.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I like your idea and believe any form of communciation is a good idea. this concept is a way for people who have tried traditional forms of communication to begin anew. With a relationship counselor supporting the couple, I believe healing could begin.
Thanks for suggesting the idea.
stephen
Stephen,
I am heartened to read your positive response.
Best wishes
David
Hi David,
Great idea! I think that this could really work, particularly where face-to-face communication has really broken down in a relationship. As you say, it could be a real lifeline for couples on trial separations.
Have you ever seen IdeaVolcano (http://blog.ideavolcano.com/)? It’s a blog-based site where people can share business and social enterprise ideas. Sometimes users just put them out there, sometimes they collaborate to make them happen. Interesting, eh? As far as I know, there isn’t anything similar out there (I stand waiting to be corrected).
Enjoying the blog.
Best regards,
Emily Cagle
Hi Emily,
Thank you for your reply – your response makes me think all the more that the idea is worthwhile.
And thank you for the link to ideavolcano.
kind regards
David
David,
This process that you suggest is useful insofar as it enables clients to “communicate” their thoughts without being interupted and without receiving non-verbal signals for their partner or therapist.
As ‘you say, this is a good tool for some instances, but clearly complete therapy cannot revolve around this method.
Good and useful idea.
Phil