Session 1b Should Psychotherapy Have a Moral Conte

Should Psychotherapy Have a Moral Context? : 

Should Psychotherapy Have a Moral Context? Dr. Marv Erisman

The Critical Link Between Ethics and Psychotherapy : 

The Critical Link Between Ethics and Psychotherapy “…I will defend the thesis that it can be fruitful for therapists to think about ethical convictions and ethical theory (e.g. to think about the reasons for holding certain ethical convictions as opposed to others). From this thesis (which stands in sharp contrast to the philosophical stance adopted- at times afer careful reflection – by many in psychology) follows a second: since ethics and values inevitably play a role in psychotherapy, therapists need to think well about the ethical theory and values with which therapy is laden.” Thjelveit (p. 7)

A. Professional ethics in relationship to general ethics. : 

A. Professional ethics in relationship to general ethics. Professional ethics General ethics Theoretical ethics Clinical ethics Virtue ethics Social ethics

B. Psychotherapist as Ethicist : 

B. Psychotherapist as Ethicist The difference between an “ethicist” and a “moralist” The widening of the intentional field of listening The role of the psychotherapist as ethicist

C. The Unholy Alliance of Psychotherapy and Self-Interest (Doherty) : 

C. The Unholy Alliance of Psychotherapy and Self-Interest (Doherty) The place of self-interest in psychotherapy and its importance The exaggeration of self-interest in psychotherapy and its consequences

D. The Change in the Historical Landscape Requires a Change in Psychotherapeutic Intention : 

D. The Change in the Historical Landscape Requires a Change in Psychotherapeutic Intention The social reality of the early days of psychotherapy The changing need today for individuals and families

E. Doherty’s Moral Influence Theory : 

E. Doherty’s Moral Influence Theory What exactly is Doherty’s moral influence theory? The basic corrective that Doherty offers The pitfalls that Doherty avoids The better outcomes that Doherty envisions

F. The Obvious Nature of Psychological Language – Self Interest : 

F. The Obvious Nature of Psychological Language – Self Interest What are the many faces of a language of self-interest engaged by clients and psychotherapists? The countermanding influence that moral language brings to the therapy hour

G. The Therapist as Moral Consultant : 

G. The Therapist as Moral Consultant The key ingredients and skills needed for this role The dangers implicit in this role The relationship between the “naturally human” and the therapeutic

H. Doherty’s Social Interaction Model of Morality : 

H. Doherty’s Social Interaction Model of Morality The key ingredients of this way of thinking Its affinity with other contemporary viewpoints Its relationship to moral relativism

I. Doherty’s 8 Guidelines for Clinical Interaction that Frame Moral Consultation : 

I. Doherty’s 8 Guidelines for Clinical Interaction that Frame Moral Consultation Their relationship to values clarification Their relationship to professional boundaries Their explicit moral intention Their movement from awareness to moral confrontation

J. Justice as Fairness(Nagy) : 

J. Justice as Fairness(Nagy) Nagy’s viewpoint related to moral identity, justice and the intergenerational dynamic The moral basis of fairness Fairness and the relational dynamic

K. The Social Responsibility of Psychotherapy: Community : 

K. The Social Responsibility of Psychotherapy: Community The subtle but powerful anti-civil intention of psychotherapy The anti-dote and corrective that psychotherapy must offer today