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How Much Should You Trust Authority Figures?

September 29, 2017 by James Robbins, M.A., LPC

Growing up, I tended to mistrust authority figures. This hasn’t changed much since I’ve become a so-called authority figure.

Just because someone has a counseling degree on his wall doesn’t make him wise. Just because someone wears a white coat doesn’t make her healthy. Just because someone wears a badge doesn’t make him just. We are taught to trust individuals with academic accomplishments, social prestige or financial success. The problem is, the vast majority of people are not trustworthy, regardless of their credentials. Even people who sincerely mean well don’t necessarily have the answers. How can you distinguish someone who really knows from someone whop pretends to know? It’s an essential question, because bad advice–even when it comes from a highly respected authority–is still bad advice.

Rather than assuming someone with seeming expertise can help you, pay very close attention to your interaction with this person. Does this person give you his or her undivided attention? Does this person seem emotionally grounded and “centered?” Does this person seem genuine, open and honest? Does this person seem happy?

If you want to learn how to do 100 pushups, you can talk to the person who wrote a book about pushups. Or you can talk to the person who can do 100 pushups.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Education, Mindfulness, Newsletter Tagged With: authority, James Robbins, mindfulness

About James Robbins, M.A., LPC

James Robbins is a licensed professional counselor, published author and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. He has over 15 years of experience helping people in various life stages that come from a wide variety of cultural, economic and family backgrounds. Learn more about his background by clicking here.

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  • Practicing Vulnerability in Your Relationships
  • What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
  • Using Distraction as an Avoidance of Emotion
  • Tips for Managing Daily Activities while Struggling with Depression
  • Friendships: How to manage your boundaries and enjoy them more!

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