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Yamileth Avendano
English 1A
Professor Adler
10 April 2014
Discourse Community Ethnography
Most fields out there have specific organizations in which they come together
due to their similar specialties. They come together as a discourse community,
which is a community in which members share their knowledge, have same goals,
share ideas with each other, and use the same type of language to communicate.
Or as Swales would states, Use of the term 'discourse community'
testifies to the increasingly common assumption that discourse operates within
conventions defined by communities, be they academic disciplines or social groups
(468). He states that a discourse community isnt defined as one unless they meet the six
characteristics.
According to Swales, a discourse community has a broadly agreed set of common
public goals, mechanisms of intercommunication among its members, uses its
participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback, utilizes and
hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aim, in
addition to owning genres it has acquired some specific lexis, and has a threshold level of
members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discoursal expertise (471-473). In
other wards they share a common goal, have intercommunication, participatory, genres of
communication, lexis, and some kind of experts and novices.
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Many special fields are considered a discourse community, such as a
psychiatric one. There are different types of psychiatrists out there that come
together as a discourse community based on their specialties. There are certain
psychiatrists that deal with the criminal justice system while others deal with
mental illness treatment, psychotic disorders, and different types of therapy such as
couples therapy. One in particular is TAPA, The Arroyos Psychological Associates.
The Arroyos are located in Pasadena, California and have a second location in West
Los Angeles, CA. As stated on the official website, they are a group of psychologists
and psychiatrists who provide comprehensive mental health services across a wide
spectrum of treatment settings. This organization was established in 2004.
According to the Arroyos Psychological Associates Inc., members of TAPA
specialize in different types of psychotherapy. They treat anyone from teachers,
lawyers, attorneys, students, and anyone in need. Professional members of TAPA
include Keith Valone, Barbara Janetzke, Adam Herdina, Arsalan Malik, Christopher
Micheal, and Nathan. Brandt Valone, clinical director and psychologists of TAPA, has
published several articles, one in particular on the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
This article is registered as part of the American Psychological Association, but is
also used on behalf of TAPA. He briefly talks about the risks of schizophrenia
disorder, which is an advantage to patients wanting to get treatment for this
disorder. Having publications makes people want to see specific
psychiatrists/psychologists in TAPA because of the experience they have. Patients
want to get treated by the best and what more than to go to an organization that
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knows what theyre doing and is an expert in what they do. TAPA also has a twitter
profile in which they tweet about recent discoveries found, general facts, and
interesting articles. Their most recent blog posts consist information regarding
mental disorders such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, and OCD. These blogs briefly state,
Only a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist is
qualified to make a diagnosis. In order to make the diagnosis, the doctor must review the
patients symptoms, history of illness, other psychiatric, medical, and health conditions,
and general life situation (The Arroyos Psychological Associates, Inc. 1). They basically
inform patients to be aware of who diagnosis them with a specific disorder.
On May 3, 2013 TAPA published a blog regarding Schizoaffective Disorder and
Psychosis. They briefly state the symptoms and consequences. For example:
Schizoaffective Disorder is a serious mental disorder in which the person meets
some symptoms of schizophrenia and some symptoms of a serious mood disorder
such as bipolar disorder or major depression. There are two subtypes,
Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type, and Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive
Type. The person does not meet all of the symptoms necessary to diagnose
schizophrenia, nor does the person meet the criteria to diagnose Major Depression
or Bipolar Disorder. (1)
Most of their blogs are formatted the exact same way, except they briefly talk about and
describe other disorders.
Members in TAPA as well as in other discourse communities all have a
specific language in which they communicate with each other in. These communities
use written discourses that enable members to keep in touch with each other, carry on
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discussions, explore controversies, and advance their aims; the genres are their vehicles
for communication (Ann M. Johns 503). As Johns claims, these communities
communicate in a way an outsider would not understand. For example, members in
TAPA use a lot of cognitive and biological perspectives in which only they can
understand what they mean. They communicate with each other through emails and
at work. They work together in the same environment, so there are a variety of ways
in which they contact each other. It is not easy to become a member of TAPA. You
need experience in the field of either psychiatry or psychology. Medical school is a
must and one must have a doctorate degree. The staff is well experience and it takes
someone just as experienced who has a lot to offer to become a member.
Swales believes that members of a discourse community must all have a
common goal. The goals of this community are to treat patients whether its
undergoing therapy, taking medication, or being instituted. We treat patients with a
full spectrum of psychological and psychiatric concerns Many other patients are
suffering from severe emotional and mental disorders that require intensive psychological
and psychiatric management (The Arroyos 1). When being instituted they either get
hospitalized or undergo their treatment in a home clinic. The staff cares about their
patients and the goal is to help them get better and help solve their problems. They
keep in touch with their patients while under going treatment as well as after.
There are certain conflicts that this association phases when it comes to their
patients. Most of the diagnosed disorders cant be cured therefore; patients are
treated by taking medication. Sometimes it can take different types of medication
and doses until the right one is found. The problem with taking medication is that
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once you stop taking the medication a patient can start experiencing with drawls
because they are practically addicted. There are risks that patients run, but most of
the time it is well worth it. Psychiatrists are there to assist patients with any
problems they may encounter.
While researching the TAPA discourse community I learned that there is a lot
to be done before becoming a member of the association and a well-known
psychiatrists specializing in mental disorders with patients. There are a couple of
school years needed and a couple of trained experience as well. According to fellow
psychiatrists and member of TAPA, Dr. Malik, obtained specialized training and did
research in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mind body medicine. His expertise
gave him experience and a name in the world of psychiatry. He is not only a member of
TAPA, but other associations such as, American Psychiatric Association and the
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. This only comes to show that one must
prepare them selves both physically and mentally before making it to the career of
their choice and consider joining some type of discourse community.
As a result of this research Id like to pay special attention to the career path I
will have to take in order to accomplish my goals. I know I have to be well educated
about the field before considering joining any association out there including TAPA.
I can try becoming a member of this community once my education and training is
fulfilled. I will definitely need connections because it wont just be handed to me.
Internships and volunteer work in this specialized field can have advantages and
benefits. One has the ability to choose what discourse community they want to
become a part of as long as they are knowledgeable and prepared.
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Works Cited
Johns, Ann M. "Discourse Communities and Communities of Practice." (1997): 498-518.
Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Los Angeles Psychiatrist - Therapy - West Los Angeles Psychiatrist - Santa Monica
Therapist | Arsalan Malik, MD - Brentwood Couple's Counseling." Los Angeles
Psychiatrist - Therapy -. Therapysites.com, 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Swales, John. "The Concept of Discourse Community." (1990): n. pag. Web. 10 Apr.
2014.
"TAPA Discourse Community." E-mail interview. 7 Apr. 2014.
"The Arroyos Psychological Associates, Inc." The Arroyos Psychological Associates,
Inc. N.p., 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"The Arroyos Psychological Associates, Inc." Who We Are| The Arroyos. N.p., n.d.
Web. 10 Apr. 2014.