Psychotherapy and the Ideal of Freedom: an Exploration of the Tension Between Facilitating Change and Respecting Autonomy

In this theoretical exploration, Clinical Psychologist Benjamin Skolnik explores the sometimes complicated balance between working to facilitate change and respecting the rights of people to live their lives according tothe dictates of their own philosophies and value systems. He explores the temptation for the therapist to impose his or her own value system upon the client in the name of helping, and the ways in which this is both a problematic and, perhaps, ubiquitous and inescapable part of the therapeutic endeavor. This issue is looked at from a number of angles, moving progressively from broad philosophical considerations toward the application of these principles to a particular case. Throughout, an attempt is made to champion the value of humility and reflexivity on the part of the therapist, and to recognize the importance of encouraging self-determination on the part of the client.