The Trouble with Therapy

267 Pages·2008·4.09 MB·English

by  Peter Morrall

The Trouble
The Trouble wiTh Therapy
Sociology and psychotherapy
wiTh Therapy
An increasing number of people are engaging in therapy. T
As a consequence there is a growing debate about the Sh
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benefits of therapy and its place in global society. e
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In this exciting new book Peter Morrall argues that therapy or
should be treated with healthy scepticism and provides a lo Sociology and pSychoTherapy
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compelling, contemporary, and controversial argument as
to how we should construct this sceptical view. gu
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Using sociological critique the author offers a sociology of al
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psychotherapy as well as placing sociology itself into therapy. e
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The author explores the links between therapy and science, P w
therapy and power, therapy and reality, madness and normality, S
and personal misery and the values of global society. yiT
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Whilst not against therapy, the author calls into question its
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very nature. Is it dysfunctional, arrogant, selfish, abusive,
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infectious, insane and deceitful? h
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Different aspects of therapy are illustrated in the book using a rr
troubled character called Heather, who undergoes therapy aa
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and features in vignettes throughout the book. yp
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This innovative, engaging, and compelling analysis of therapy
is a wake-up call about therapy. It is essential reading for
anyone interested in psychotherapy, counselling, sociology
or the human condition.
Peter Morrall is Senior Lecturer in Health and Sociology
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at Leeds University, UK. He has nearly thirty years e
experience in the field of madness working; researching; t
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teaching; writing.
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Peter Morrall
The Trouble with
Therapy

The Trouble with
Therapy
Sociology and Psychotherapy
PETER MORRALL
Open University Press
Open University Press
McGraw-HillEducation
McGraw-HillHouse
ShoppenhangersRoad
Maidenhead
Berkshire
England
SL62QL
email:[email protected]
worldwide web: www.openup.co.uk
andTwoPennPlaza, New York, NY10121–2289,USA
Firstpublished 2008
Copyright#PeterMorrall2008
Allrightsreserved. Except forthe quotationof short passages forthe purposesof
criticism andreview, nopart of thispublicationmay be reproduced, storedin a
retrieval system,ortransmitted, in anyform, orbyanymeans,electronic,
mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,withoutthepriorpermissionof
thepublisheroralicencefromtheCopyrightLicensingAgencyLimited.Detailsof
suchlicences (forreprographicreproduction) maybeobtainedfromtheCopyright
Licensing AgencyLtd of 90TottenhamCourt Road,London, W1T 4LP.
Acataloguerecord of thisbookisavailable fromthe BritishLibrary
ISBN–13:9780335218752 (pb) 9780335218769(hb)
ISBN–10:033521875X(pb) 0335218768 (hb)
Libraryof Congress Cataloging-in-PublicationData
CIPdataappliedfor
Typesetby YHTLtd,London
Printedin theUKbyBell andBain Ltd,Glasgow
Fictitiousnamesofcompanies,products,people,charactersand/ordatathatmaybe
usedherein(incase studiesorinexamples) are notintended torepresent anyreal
individual,company, productorevent.
For dear Heather

Contents
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction 1
Trouble 1
Sceptic 6
Heather 9
1 Enlightenment 13
Imagination 16
Structuralism 19
Interactionism 28
Constructionism 34
Realism 38
Summary 40
2 Dysfunctional 42
Conflict 44
viii THE TROUBLE WITH THERAPY
Lottery 55
Rivalry 64
Summary 75
3 Arrogant 77
Science 81
Scientization 86
Fallacy 91
Summary 99
4 Selfish 101
Individual 102
Reflexive 109
Sexualized 116
Summary 123
5 Abusive 125
Power 126
Control 134
Sickness 139
Summary 143
6 Infectious 145
Professions 146
Medicalization 151
Therapyitis 156
Summary 165
7 Insane 167
Certified 170
Psychiatry 177
Society 181
Summary 185
8 Deceitful 187
Nirvana 192
Shangri-La 198
Reality 203
Summary 206
CONTENTS ix
Conclusion 209
Review 209
Redemption 211
Heather 215
Notes 219
Bibliography 223
Index 241