Critical Priorities for the Psychotherapy and Counselling Community

Abstract

This chapter examines what critical thinking is for the field of psychotherapy and counselling by taking a particular, subject-specific position regarding 'thinking and theorising'. It then poses certain questions about the general neglect of critical thinking and possible reasons for this. Subsequently, suggestions are made for what we might consider some critical priorities for the field - aetiologies of distress, competing models, the outcome question, professional issues, training and employment, disciplinary stances and the scope and limits of the field. The author positions himself as a depressive realist with severe reservations about the claims of psychotherapy and counselling, and he attempts to distinguish between accusations of cynicism against his arguments, and fair critique. Problems of class and politics relevant to therapy are surfaced, and the romantic optimism of the field is critiqued. Doubts about the profession's desire and ability make any radical changes are raised. The problematic influences of academia are also focused upon. The critique here extends to those who are perceived as offering somewhat impotent critical analyses of the field from various 'phenomenological silos' and 'critical coteries'.