The student with a writing block-the ethics of psychotherapy

Abstract

The potential role of the psychotherapist as ethical interventionist is considered wiht 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 dyamic 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 end all of treatment. Therapy is necessarily value-laden since it aims for the enhancement of the patient's sate of autonomy; it is value-free inasmuch as the therapi..