Beyond the Rule Book: Moral Issues and Dilemmas in the Practice of Psychotherapy

How does one make decisions or influence other people without operating from within a moral framework? Can psychotherapeutic relationships exist apart from the moral beliefs of the client, therapist, or a larger collective culture? How do therapists encourage ethical and moral decision-making on the part of their clients without essentially imposing their own beliefs?

Beyond the Rule Book is a collection of articles addressing the role of morality in the therapeutic process, with a particular emphasis on feminist perspectives. The authors of each piece confront difficult issues around moral influence and ethical decision-making through a variety of real-life examples and case studies.

The authors stimulate their readers to challenge some of their own basic assumptions about the role of morality in psychotherapeutic relationships, as well as the role of psychotherapy itself in our society. Should a therapist prioritize the individual rights of her client over her responsibility to her children? When, if ever, is it appropriate to encourage clients to focus on their own needs rather than those of the larger group? How have individualistic values influenced our decision-making as practitioners, and what are the implications for clients from other cultures?

The discussion doesn't end with education about ethical codes of various professional organizations. Situations commonly arise that don't fit the circumstances anticipated by the codes. What the editors suggest is "theorists and practitioners should not conspire to keep invisible the moral aspects of the enterprise in which we are engaged, should not pretend that it is not infused with moral issues". Instead, moral education should be an integral part of the training of therapists.

Overall, Beyond the Rule Book is a collection of well-written, thought-provoking articles about complex moral issues raised by therapeutic interactions, with the feminist principle of empowerment as a central theme. Articles include discussion of the dilemmas of working as a therapist within the child-welfare system, feminist psychotherapy with women in prison, working with clients with disabilities, and self-care for women psychotherapists. This book will be a valuable addition to any counselor-education program and is highly recommended for all who work in mental health and social services. --Molly Hefta