What Therapists Don't Talk About And Why: Understanding Taboos That Hurt Us And Our Clients

by Pope, Kenneth S.; Sonne, Janet L.; Greene, Beverly; Vasquez, Melba Jean Trinidad; Koocher, Gerald P.

• ISBN13: 9781591474111
• ISBN10: 1591474116
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-15
• Publisher: Amer Psychological Assn

Summary

"This book focuses on taboos and uncomfortable topics that therapists and therapists-in-training often avoid and the damaging myths underlying this avoidance. Providing opportunities for individuals, courses, and workshops to engage the topics directly, the book avoids imposing "right" answers and clinging to traditional "politically correct," or "psychologically correct" approaches. The book's model of learning encourages a mindful awareness of how we respond to the complex, messy situations that occur in real life and emphasizes the need for openness, honesty, courage, and constant questioning."--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

ABOUT THE SECOND EDITION	xix
FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION: THINGS MY TEACHERS NEVER MENTIONED
Gerald P. Koocher xxi
FOREWORD TO THE 1993 EDITION	xxv
Melba J.T. Vasquez
Chapter 1: Questioning Myths, Taboos, Secrets, and Uncomfortable Topics	3	(24)
Basic Myths About the Psychotherapist	4	(17)
The Nature and Reality of Myths, Taboos, Secrets, and Uncomfortable Topics	21	(3)
The Process of Questioning Myths, Taboos, Secrets, and Uncomfortable Topics	24	(1)
The Process of Exploration, Discovery, and Learning	25	(2)
Chapter 2: Therapists' Sexual Arousals, Attractions, and Fantasies: An Example of a Topic That Isn't There	27	(16)
Another Myth	28	(1)
Guilt by Association	29	(4)
Keeping Dirty Laundry Private	33	(1)
"Sensitive Information" About Patients but Not AboutTherapists	33	(1)
Angry, Greedy, Powerful Women and Innocent, Virtuous, Vulnerable Men	34	(1)
Higher Premiums	35	(1)
"Victimized" by Exclusion?	35	(1)
Are Sexual Feelings Harder to Talk About Than Actual Sexual Involvement?	36	(7)
Chapter 3: Creating Conditions for Learning	43	(10)
Safety	44	(1)
Understanding the Task	45	(1)
Openness	45	(1)
Respect	46	(1)
Encouragement	46	(1)
Privacy	47	(1)
Acceptance	47	(2)
Sensitivity	49	(1)
Frankness	50	(1)
Support	50	(3)
Chapter 4: Questions We'd Rather Avoid: A Self-Assessment	53	(12)
Questions	54	(11)
Chapter 5: Possible Clues to Taboo Topics and Uncomfortable Feelings	65	(20)
Therapy Adrift	67	(1)
Repetitive Therapy	67	(1)
The Discrepant Record	68	(1)
The Dehumanized Client	68	(1)
The Dehumanized Therapist	69	(1)
Avoidance	69	(1)
Theory-Obliterated Therapy	70	(1)
The Client-Friend	71	(1)
Obsession	72	(1)
Interesting Slips and Meaningful Mistakes	72	(2)
Fantasies, Dreams, Daydreams, and Other Imaginings	74	(2)
Undue Special Treatment	76	(1)
Isolation of the Client	77	(1)
Isolation of the Therapist	77	(2)
Creating a Secret	79	(1)
Seeking Repeated Reassurance From Colleagues	80	(1)
Boredom and Drowsiness as Protective Reactions	81	(4)
Chapter 6: Passages and Scenarios for Exploration	85	(60)
Beginning and Ending the Session	86	(1)
Initial Appointment	87	(1)
The Movie	88	(1)
The New Client	89	(2)
The Therapist's Fear of Showing Feeling: A Passage From Clara Thompson	91	(1)
The Perfect Therapist	92	(1)
Cognitive–Behavioral Approach to "Ugly": A Passage From Ellen Toby Mass and Joann Paley Galst	93	(2)
The Two-Person Practice	95	(1)
The Request	96	(1)
Telling a Client to Undress During a Therapy Session: A Passage From Milton Erickson	97	(3)
Staffing Patterns	100	(1)
A Client's Anger at a Therapist's Voyeurism: A Passage From Laura Brown	101	(1)
The Requirement	102	(1)
Sounds	103	(2)
Are Beliefs About Race and Sex Related? A Passage From Leon Williams	105	(1)
A Request for Help	106	(1)
The Media and the Message	107	(1)
Beatings, Grief, Love, and Sex: A Passage From Fritz Penis	108	(3)
What You Enjoy	111	(1)
A Client in Crisis	111	(1)
A Patient's Difficulties Talking About Sexual Fantasies: A Passage From Mardi Horowitz	112	(2)
The New Client	114	(1)
The Surprise Date	114	(1)
A Voyeuristic Response to an Incest Survivor: A Passage From Christine Courtois	115	(2)
Adjunctive Therapy	117	(1)
The Note	118	(1)
Eyes Open	118	(1)
No More	119	(1)
Your Income	120	(1)
Leaving on Vacation	120	(1)
Bright, Funny, Articulate, and Likable	121	(1)
Normal	122	(1)
Fantasizing Love and Marriage With a Patient: A Passage From Harold Searles	123	(2)
Saved!	125	(1)
The Security Guard	125	(1)
The Partner	126	(1)
A Therapist Unaware of the Client's Attraction: A Passage From Marny Hall	127	(1)
Diagnosis	128	(1)
Size	129	(1)
Recordings and Photographs	129	(1)
A Different Direction	130	(1)
Research Data	131	(1)
The Right Stuff	131	(1)
The Party	132	(1)
Misusing the Borderline Diagnosis: A Passage From David Reiser and Hanna Levenson	133	(2)
A Strong Reaction	135	(1)
Medication	135	(1)
A Client Becomes Aroused When Her Therapist Comes to Her Home: A Passage From Helen Block Lewis	136	(2)
Descriptions	138	(2)
A Suicidal Client	140	(1)
The Newspaper	140	(1)
Instructing a Client to Imagine Her Breasts Tingling: A Passage From Theodore Barber	141	(1)
Feeling Safe	142	(1)
Pleasing a Husband	143	(2)
Chapter 7: Confronting an Impasse: What Do We Do When We Don't Know What to Do?	145	(9)
Consulting	146	(1)
Competence	147	(1)
Charting	148	(1)
Uncharacteristic Behaviors	149	(2)
Advances in Theory, Research, and Practice	151	(1)
Looking for Logical Flaws	151	(1)
The Legal and Ethical Framework	152	(2)
Continued Questioning	154	(3)
APPENDIX: "Therapists' Anger, Hate, Fear, and Sexual Feelings: National Survey of Therapist Responses, Client Characteristics, Critical Events, Formal Complaints, and Training"	157	(26)
INDEX	183	(10)
ABOUT THE AUTHORS	193