Mark, I am not sure what you are disagreeing with… Therapeutic assertive advice, of course, I am talking about people giving the client agony aunt-style advice, perhaps I am not making that clear.

I am referring here to individuals who as therapists, assume they know how everyone should live their lives, with a certain set of values and beliefs… We are not attempting to therap the world into becoming part of the Borg, are we?

For example, it makes me very happy to spend time in my garden, to read Ayn Rand novels and trashy sci-fi novels, watch Family Guy and to train for and run marathons… Does that mean that when my clients come to me for therapy, I should now give them life advice and tell them they need to get in their garden, read certain books, watch certain comedy shows and buy a pair of running shoes.

Of course we advise in the therapeutic context, of course we model the assertive role, and of course we press for progressive behavioural action, these are things that are in my initial client information when we agree to work together and they sign to say they have understood… But I do not think we should go around dispensing ‘advice’ on how to live successfully according to our own personal values and beliefs.

Of course this is only done to the give client the experiences necessary for him or her to become clear, decisive and assertive themselves. However if the therapist cannot role model and advise clear, decisive assertiveness then the client is wasting their time.

If a client is frozen in indecision – then the therapist has to get them moving (especially if they are going to get run over.) – e.g. getting children to move out their parents house or telling someone with anger issues what to do about them (or you can wait until they hit their wife again and get some insight?).

I mean “Behavioural Activation” anyone? Of course we might dress it up by saying “why don’t you try this is an experiment” – but what we really are saying is “do this – because what you are doing (lying in bed depressed) isn’t working”.

As the brilliant Andrew Salter (founder of the ACBT – Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies) said ” The psychologist should go into great detail about the appropriate manner for the individual to conduct his personal and business life. If the psychologist is unable to do so, and is not broadly aware and sensitive, he can be more useful to society as an elevator operator.”

Therapists should bring their whole personality to what they are doing with appropriate forcefulness for the benefit of the client.

Thanks Sean, good to hear from you.

When i talk about giving advice, I am referring to people giving ideas and thoughts to clients on how to run their life based on their own values and not allowing the client to make those decisions themselves… “Oh, you should leave your husband, he sounds like a right dick” would be advice based on my values and not necessarily something the client has decided for themself; even thinking such a thing could influence what we do in therapy and the intervention used.

And by the way, my reference to regression was this life regression, which i think is potentially problematic enough… Past life regression? Don’t get me started! 😉

Thanks for your contribution Sean, it is appreciated.

Thanks Mel, I agree. Great to hear from you 🙂