Psychotherapy that focuses on morality and obligation

Source

Summarised from an article by Lynette Lamb in New Age Journal (USA; March '95) monitored for the Institute by Roger Knights.

In his new book, Soul Searching: Why Psychotherapy Must Promote Moral Responsibility Basic Books, April 1995), Minnesotan family therapist William Doherty argues that therapy should shift from being 'me'-focused to 'we'-focused, and to emphasising what he considers vital moral values as justice, truthfulness and community. 'My work is not just to discuss [with clients] how they themselves are oppressed, but how they may oppress others,' he says.

Take the case of one woman struggling with what to do about an abusive mother, now dying. According to Doherty, many therapists might suggest she protect herself by cutting off relations with this toxic parent. 'This is part of our contractual model of relationships', says Doherty, 'in which the client is encouraged to ask, "What has the person done for me lately?" '. Instead, Doherty says he would encourage her to explore - and perhaps act on - the sense of obligation she feels to her mother.

So far Doherty's ideas have found a receptive audience; and he is launching a series of nationwide forums for therapists. But some wonder if his approach could encourage therapists to push their own personal values onto vulnerable clients: when Doherty presented his ides in a recent issue of Family Therapy Networker, one respondent insisted that 'therapy remain less about the therapist ... and more about clients getting what they want'.

But Doherty says his role is that of a 'moral consultant' rather than a 'moral authority': 'the key issue is one of balance between individual needs and responsibilities to others', says he. 'Somehow we concluded that the only authentic life was based in heeding the dictates of "I want".'