Topical Panel 12 on The Role of the Therapist / The Role of the Client, featuring Rollo R May, PhD, Carl R Rogers, PhD, Virginia M Satir, ACSW, and Thomas S Szasz, MD.
Moderated by F Theodore Reid, Jr, MD.
Zerka Moreno (1985) explains the importance of role reversal. She demonstrates with Lori who discusses concerns related to her marriage. She examines her relationship with her father. Lori is asked to create a family structure using members from the audience. Moreno ends by sharing information about her own experiences in Psychodrama.
May emphasizes the importance of availability to the client; Rogers, that the therapist serves a function rather than a role. Satir examines client expectations, and how the therapist can be a leader while still maintaining a relationship based on equality. Szasz describes concrete economic factors, social and psychological factors that motivate the therapist. The panel also responds to questions from the audience.