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The student with a writing block--the ethics of psychotherapy.

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Affiliations

  • 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne.
      Authors
    • Bloch S 1
    (1 author)

Journal of Medical Ethics, 01 Sep 1989, 15(3):153-158
https://doi.org/10.1136/jme.15.3.153 PMID: 2795629 PMCID: PMC1375807

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Abstract 

The potential role of the psychotherapist as ethical interventionist is considered with reference to a patient who presented with a writing block. The case for the therapist to act paternalistically is followed by the counterargument which revolves around the respect for autonomy. A bridge between these two opposing positions is then offered which depends on viewing informed consent as a dynamic process. As part of this procedure it is made clear that while autonomy is the desired end-state of psychotherapy, it is not the be all and end all of treatment. Therapy is necessarily value-laden since it aims for the enhancement of the patient's state of autonomy; it is value-free inasmuch as the therapist desists from guiding the patient in how she should live her life.

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Logo of jmedethLink to Publisher's site
J Med Ethics. 1989 Sep; 15(3): 153–158.
PMCID: PMC1375807
PMID: 2795629

The student with a writing block--the ethics of psychotherapy.

S Bloch
Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer

Abstract

The potential role of the psychotherapist as ethical interventionist is considered with reference to a patient who presented with a writing block. The case for the therapist to act paternalistically is followed by the counterargument which revolves around the respect for autonomy. A bridge between these two opposing positions is then offered which depends on viewing informed consent as a dynamic process. As part of this procedure it is made clear that while autonomy is the desired end-state of psychotherapy, it is not the be all and end all of treatment. Therapy is necessarily value-laden since it aims for the enhancement of the patient's state of autonomy; it is value-free inasmuch as the therapist desists from guiding the patient in how she should live her life.

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Selected References

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Articles from Journal of Medical Ethics are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

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Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1136/jme.15.3.153

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