What does your ethical code say about accepting gifts from clients? Is it ethical to do so? If you’re a psychologist, social worker, or marriage and family therapist, you’re probably not sure. That’s because your official code doesn’t address it. Surprisingly, there’s not a word about gifts in any of the codes pertaining to those disciplines. And yet, virtually every mental health practitioner has, or will, face a situation where some client offers a gift of some sort at some…
Memories of Stonehenge, 1984: Conference of Women Family Therapists
In the summer of 1981 I was traveling around Ireland with Lynn Hoffman who was at that time- and for a great many years- a tremendous supporter of the work of a numerous others in family therapy. She was at that time especially supportive of therapy teams in many different places in the world and was telling me a good deal about all the creative women she had run into in her travels. I began to think about the need…
Its the Psychiatric Meds, Stupid!
When a client climbs out from under the shroud of depression, the question of whom to thank arises – her own brave perseverance in therapy, or big pharma. Howard Rosenthal was delighted to hear her answer.
Empowering Clients in Couples Therapy
When I do couple therapy, I bring partners in on my concerns about what is happening in the session. If I am concerned that one partner might feel I’m siding against him or her, I might say, “Ben, I’ve just realized I spent more time today developing Lisa’s position today than I have yours. Is that your sense, too? And if so, do you feel left out or sided against or ganged up on?” The person (here Ben) often responds…
Harry Aponte on Structural Family Therapy
Aponte speaks passionately about the need to see individuals and families in the larger social context, and reflects on his encounters with Sal Minuchin, the role of spirituality in therapy, and the person of the therapist.
Walking A Tightrope: Family Therapy with Adolescents and Their Families
Hardy brings family therapy to life with this compelling and instructive case vignette of his work with an African-American family.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Telephone Therapy
With today’s technology we are an ever mobile yet increasingly connected society. For example, a client who you have been treating in office and perhaps with a few phone sessions when he was stuck downtown at his office has now relocated out of state and wants to continue his therapy sessions. With telephone, Skype and e-mail, why not? Why not expand your practice and “see” patients across the country, especially if you have expertise in an area of treatment? …
Gottman and Gray: The Two Johns
One is the gold standard; the other the gold earner. Take a wild guess which is which.
A Psychotherapist Returning from Vacation
It’s been twenty-plus years now of returning from some sort of summer vacation to resume seeing clients. I wake up this morning, still unsettled from my dream life, reminded that my own anxiety, seemingly under wraps, is not too far from the surface. As I mentally ready myself to go back to work, images and memories seep in from prior years: early in my career nervously wondering whether any clients would return; other times eagerly anticipating seeing a specific client or…
Kenneth Doka on Grief Counseling and Psychotherapy
A leading expert on grief counseling and therapy, discusses how understanding individual grieving styles is essential to grief counselors and all therapists helping clients deal effectively with loss.