Teleconference with Dr. Gilbert Garza

     One of the psychology graduate programs that I am applying to is the University of Dallas.  This is one of of my top five graduate programs of choice of the ten total that I think are worth applying to, considering my concentration and goals.  One of the faculty members at the University of Dallas whose research and interest I found pertinent to my own was Dr. Gilbert Garza.  I initially contacted Dr. Garza via email and accordingly scheduled a telephone conference that took place this morning.  Below, you will find my notes on the 20 minute plus conversation we had.  The first part is a discussion of Garza's various works and interests.  The second part was an interview conducted on my behalf concerning my own current research.  The third part of the conversation, not included here, was a few questions that Dr. Garza asked me regarding my background and interests in the program.  For more information on Dr. Garza you can review his University of Dallas faculty listing here.

Call Log:  11/21/11, 9:58 a.m. 

Part I
     One of the topics Dr. Garza has researched is Neurobiological Reductionism.  I asked him to elaborate on some of his work on the topic.  Garza stated that the Cartesian model of knowledge reduces consciousness to a biological process, this is not accurate.  According to Garza psychology has a problem of heart and this has lead to furthering the study of neurobiology.  Garza mentioned, and I agreed, that one of the problems we face in the world today is the relentless and "unreflective" use of knowledge from natural sciences without thinking things through.
     Dr. Garza has also published material on the meaning of self in a wireless world.  Dr. Garza was quick to cite a study done by Carnegie (Carnegie Mellon University, link provided if detailed review is desired).  Garza summarized the study saying that Carnegie did a study offered free internet service to those who agreed to have their internet usage monitored.  The result was that visits to social networking sites exploded, it was also noted that with this increase, person-to-person interaction was noticeably decreased on campus during  the time of the study.  Garza says that social media is not necessarily a bad thing, however, modern technology has changed how we define words like "social" and "communication".  "It's not the quantitative use (of social media), but the qualitative character of the user that matters", says Garza.
     Garza also served as the chair moderator for a discussion on Heidegger's metaphysics of meaning.  As this was not research directly done by Garza, he only mentioned a few philosophers relevant to the discussion such as Gadamer, Heidegger, and (Garza's primary research target) Lecand.  The importance of intentionality, application, and methodology were also mentioned.

Part II
     [I am currently conducting post-undergraduate/pre-graduate independent research on the importance of philosophy in psychology, specifically psychotherapy.  The primary concentration of the research is existential philosophy, particularly the works of Albert Camus.]
      I asked Dr. Garza what some of the problems that he saw with modern therapy were.  He, almost comically, responded that that was not a short question to answer.  One of the problems mentioned was the delivery and payment of psychotherapy.  Psychotherapy today is co-opted by the medical model.  Thus, the focus of psychological treatment is dictated by the economy and has chosen symptom reduction as its focus.  Garza was critical of the beurocratic procedures associated with clinical psychology.  Garza stated that after completing his doctorate it took nearly a calendar year for him to become licensed.  Given the medical and economic influences on psychotherapy, Garza seemed critical of the current trend of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  [In my own personal and semi-profession opinion I am very skeptical of CBT.  My reason for this is primarily the focus of the therapy.  The essence of being is far more than behavioral practices and the output of neurological functions.  CBT seems to me to be using tricks of the mind to tame psychological symptoms (see above comments with Dr. Garza).  Dulling symptoms is not effective treatment so much as it is economically sufficient.  CBT, in my opinion, is like playing head games with yourself, in effect moderating symptoms of rather than seeking resolution to psychological or behavioral problems.  The economy is awful... and I'm not just referring to the mothballs in my wallet.]  Dr. Garza says that psychology needs to decide if therapy should be defined as a medical practice or not.
     The next thing discussed was the importance of philosophy in psychology and in psychotherapy in particular.  Garza, with good humor, referred to the expression about everyone having an opinion (...and they all stink).  Garza expressed that everyone has an implicit philosophy but only a few choose to make it explicit.  He states that philosophy is not worthless, however it needs to be outwardly expressed and carried out.  According to Garza, we need to take ownership of our philosophical framework.  Garza also commented that our values and beliefs shape our approach to essentially everything.  "There is an implied philosophical underpinning to psychology... that underpinning factors into everything in psychology."  It was specifically expressed that phenomenology, to be more specific, factors into everything in psychology. 
      I also asked Dr. Garza for a comparison of traditional psychoanalytic therapy versus the, relatively new, field of philosophical coaching.  Philosophical coaching seems to be having a rising following but not gaining much of a foothold in the therapeutic field.  Dr. Garza's comments are as follows.  "I would be suspicious of anything called philosophical coaching... a newspaper columnist can give advice, the difference is that a therapist is trained... the goal of therapy is to increase responsibility." 
     The next question was, what makes existentialism so pertinent to psychology?  Garza's response was the emphasis that existentialism places on responsibility for one's actions.  Garza also commented that, however, our culture has set us up against responsibility.  What about existentialism and psychotherapy?  "Good therapy gives the client a sense of freedom, this includes the freedom to continue suffering." 
     The final question, then, was; "Do be people want the responsibility that existentialism offers?"  "No", Garza quickly replied, after brief pause, "absolutely not."  [If you have been following the conversation thus far you will realize that our economy has swayed people towards a quick fix, not only for its immediate gratification, but because results have three defining characteristics.  They can be good, fast, or financially cheap; of the three characteristics your results only get to contain two.]  Garza cited Hiedegger, saying; "living authentically will kill you."  Garza continued to say that no one can bear responsibility for their actions and that therapy should alleviate suffering.  I then thanked Dr. Garza for the interview and he wished me luck on my application. 

     Selected parts of this interview, and others scheduled in the future, will be compiled as part of my current research project to be used as a writing sample with my graduate applications.   My last "research" project was during the spring of 2010, my senior year at Mac Murray College.  As my personal development, academic interests, and career plans evolve, so do the written samplings that are to demonstrate those categories to admissions committees.

As always, thanks for reading!