From Freud to Erickson to the current practice of psychotherapy, the nature of human problems has remained the same. What has changed is which problems we consider are within the realm of psychotherapy to elucidate. When Erickson introduced the concept of directive therapy, the field changed, not only in terms of how to do therapy, but also in terms of what are the issues a therapist must address. Is there a place for the concept of evil, for the practice of justice, and for the spiritual realm in therapy? What do we know today that we didn't know a hundred years ago? How can we preserve the existence of the therapist as humanist, social activist and systemic thinker?
Ellyn will present a video of a first session with a couple about to separate after a third discovered infidelity. The session, conducted by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson focuses on illuminating how one partner’s unresolved family of origin issues create pain for both partners, contribute to infidelity and inhibit the development of the relationship. After the video presentation, Janis Spring will comment. We all learn more when we see therapeutic work discussed from multiple perspectives.