EP05 Topical Panel 09 - Therapeutic Neutrality or Social Commitment? - Mary Goulding, MSW; James Masterson, MD; Cloe Madanes, Lic. Psycol.; Jean Houston, PhD
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- Not yet rated
- Topic Areas:
- Topical Panels | Psychotherapy | Therapist Development | Community | Empowerment | Social Issues
- Categories:
- Evolution of Psychotherapy | Evolution of Psychotherapy 2005 | Pioneers in Couples and Family Therapy
- Faculty:
- Mary Goulding, MSW | James F. Masterson, MD | Cloe Madanes, HDL, LIC | Jean Houston, PhD
- Duration:
- 1 Hour
- Format:
- Audio Only
- Original Program Date:
- Dec 09, 2005
- License:
- Never Expires.
Description
Description:
Educational Objectives:
- To compare and contrast clinical and philosophical perspectives of experts.
*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*
Outline:
Introduction and Meeting Guidelines
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Meeting focuses on therapeutic neutrality vs. social commitment.
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Format includes presentations, dialogue, and audience Q&A.
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Panelists: Mary Goulding, James Masterson, Cloe Madanes, Jean Houston.
Mary Goulding's Perspective
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Advocates addressing social issues in therapy.
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Compares Cuba’s and New Orleans’ hurricane responses to highlight systemic care.
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Critiques capitalism, praises community care in socialism.
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Encourages clients to consider responsibility, citing biblical and revolutionary figures like Che Guevara.
James Masterson's Perspective
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Sees no inherent conflict between neutrality and social awareness.
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Stresses neutrality as key to emotional safety in therapy.
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Therapists can address social issues if relevant to a patient’s pathology.
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Therapist’s main duty is to the patient's mental health.
Cloe Madanes' Perspective
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Argues neutrality is not ethical during moral crises.
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Therapists must act to protect vulnerable populations (children, elders, prisoners).
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Promotes directive therapy and activism.
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Proposes a Council for the Human Rights of Children.
Jean Houston's Mythic View
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Shares myths and stories (Buddhist, cosmic stewardship) to stress relationship importance.
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Sees Earth as a place to learn healing and evolution.
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Therapists are wounded healers helping transform individuals and society.
Panel Discussion Highlights
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Madanes: Support circular (non-hierarchical) social models.
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Goulding: Emphasizes the power of caring in community-based therapy.
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Masterson: Reaffirms neutrality but acknowledges role in addressing broader issues.
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All support community engagement and therapist involvement beyond the clinic.
Audience Q&A
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Topics: integrating activism into therapy, therapists’ role in re-parenting, social/political stressors.
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Panel agrees therapists must understand systemic influences.
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Emphasis on balancing neutrality with social responsibility.
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Final takeaway: therapists can and should contribute to social change with a nuanced, client-focused approach.
Credits
Faculty
Mary Goulding, MSW Related Seminars and Products
Mary Goulding, MSW, is one of the leading exponents of Transactional Analysis. Along with her husband Robert Goulding, she developed an approach called Redecision therapy which synthesizes Transactional Analysis and Gestalt. Together they founded the Western Institute for Group and Family Therapy in Watsonville, California, and co-authored two professional books about their approach. There is also an edited volume about the Redecision model. Mary has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Transactional Analysis Association and is a Teaching Member of that organization. Her M.S.W. was granted in 1960 from the School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley.
James F. Masterson, MD Related Seminars and Products
James F. Masterson (M.D., Jefferson Medical School, 1951) was Director of the Masterson Group, P.C., which specializes in the treatment of adolescent and adult character disorders. Additionally, he was Director of the Masterson Institute (formerly Character Disorder Foundation); attending psychiatrist at New York Hospital, Payne Whitney Clinic; and Adjunct Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Cornell University Medical College. Masterson has authored seven books and edited two volumes, mostly on the topic of psychoanalytic approaches to character disoreders and adolescents. His seminal work on the borderline personality has made him one of the most influential and studied practitioners of modern psychoanalytic methods.
Cloe Madanes, HDL, LIC Related Seminars and Products
Cloé Madanes, HDL, LIC, is a world-renowned innovator and teacher of family and strategic therapy and one of the originators of the strategic approach to family therapy. She has authored seven books that are classics in the field: Strategic Family Therapy; Behind the One-Way Mirror; Sex, Love and Violence; The Violence of Men; The Secret Meaning of Money; The Therapist as Humanist, Social Activist and Systemic Thinker; and Relationship Breakthrough. She has presented her work at professional conferences all over the world and has given keynote addresses for The Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy; the National Association of Social Workers, The Erickson Foundation, the California Psychological Association and many other national and international conferences. Madanes has won several awards for distinguished contribution to psychology and has counseled outstanding individuals from all walks of life.
Jean Houston, PhD Related Seminars and Products
Jean Houston, Ph.D in Psychology, is the author of over 30 books in the fields of human and social development. As a consultant to UN programs and other international agencies she has worked in some 109 countries, and continues to advise globally in social artistry (human development in the light of social challenge and change). Jean is also Chancellor of Meridian University, Co-Founder of Rising Women, Rising World.