Well in the case of these social workers, I think it was because they were so accustomed to thinking of themselves as providers of empathy that they didn't imagine it would have value to other institutions. But I think the larger issue is that all professions, but especially helping professions, get used to a certain type of relationship with institutions. I deal with this in nursing constantly. Nurses are so inclined to actions like "advocate for patients" or "provide a new resource" that they don't see other options for relating to organizations that in most cases aren't that far along in the journey. I feel lucky that I am in a good position to understand helpers and what they can do, but also how outsiders do and do not see them.
So why can't they see?
Well in the case of these social workers, I think it was because they were so accustomed to thinking of themselves as providers of empathy that they didn't imagine it would have value to other institutions. But I think the larger issue is that all professions, but especially helping professions, get used to a certain type of relationship with institutions. I deal with this in nursing constantly. Nurses are so inclined to actions like "advocate for patients" or "provide a new resource" that they don't see other options for relating to organizations that in most cases aren't that far along in the journey. I feel lucky that I am in a good position to understand helpers and what they can do, but also how outsiders do and do not see them.