The student with a writing block--the ethics of psychotherapy.
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.
Bloch
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne.
D000328:Adult; D030881:Disclosure; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D026706:Paternalism; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D012945:Social Values; D014956:Writing