Episode 4: I'm Not OK That You're OK

About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of therapist neutrality in the face of differing value systems between therapists and patients.

In this episode, Andrew presents us with an insoluble ethical dilemma. Is it desirable or even possible for therapists to remain neutral when the patient lives by a value system very discrepant from their own and seems to do so comfortably and credits the therapy for this outcome? Andrew and Gill agree that therapists are not neutral as they have their own moral compasses, even if they believe it is incumbent on them to bracket them. They also agree it is fair to question the patient about the consequences of their new found comfort with problematic actions and to explore if the comfort is authentic or defensive. However, Andrew and Gill also accept that they may be defending themselves against accepting the patient's comfort with a lack of empathy for those in his ambit. They are left with the question 'Whose defensiveness is it anyway?'.

People in this episode

Hosts: Gill, Rachael Burton, Andrew Geeves

Guest: Andrew

Topics covered

• ethical dilemma
• therapist neutrality
• value systems
• patient comfort
• moral compass

Keywords

• ethical dilemma
• therapist neutrality
• value systems
• patient comfort
• moral compass
• defensiveness

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