The philosophical problems of counselor subjectivism in individual insight psychotherapy

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Authors
Thomsen, Gregory Lee, 1950-
Advisor
Robertson, Robert E.
Issue Date
1975
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Thesis (M.A.)
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Abstract

This thesis has explored the philosophical problems resulting from subtle and unconscious manipulations a rehabilitation counselor of insight psychotherapy, for instance, might easily practice on his clients. Because actual research of outcomes resulting from therapeautic counselor-client interactions seems nonexistent, the method of this thesis is built around the author's personal experiences as a client of rehabilitation psychotherapy.If a client is manipulated by a counselor to conform to a therapeautic role, then the existential and phenomenological objectives of insight psychotherapy are not being met and the therapy is ethically impure because of its tendency to manipulate human beings. The phenomenological and existential structure of insight psychotherapy are also in paradox because of the nature of the therapy itself. There cannot exist both freedom and non-freedom at the same time.The popular practice of contemporary insight psychotherapy demands research to determine the essence of the process of such therapies to insure that change in therapy includes change for the better, rather than destructive change.

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