Therapy as arrest of developmental repair

• The Case of Gary: Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself? by Jim Pretzer, 8/1/97
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    • Therapy as repair of developmental arrest by Sisyphus, 9/14/97
      
      

I think that Sisyphus should consider a different approach to conceptualising therapy. One of the advantages of CBT is that it does not require the kind of "transference" relationship that psychodynamic approaches do. I find myself in broad agreement with Masson, viz, that psychodynamic therapist may often form inappropriate and iatrogenic relationships with their patients which are characterised by particularly gross imbalances of power. Sadly these are open to abuse; even more sadly, they sometimes are. It is intrisic to the psychodynamic approach that dependent relationships form. It is not for the cognitive behavioural approach. The very fact that cognitive-behavioural treatment duration ranges from 5-15 sessions conducted in a collaborative way tends to reduce iatrogenesis. The idea that the therapeutic relationship is the primary focus of intervention in a case like this is peculiar to me as a cognitive-behaviour therapist. Fortunately, the evidence is that cognitive-behavioural treatment is effective in helping people overcome their problem. And perhaps their developmental arrest. Fostering dependency runs the risk of arresting the person's growth and personal development; beware!

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