1 This is a video of Eva’s memory.
As we walk with you through Eva’s room, you will find “home” videos of Eva’s memories. Here, we have an actress playing Eva, reading out the words of excerpts of 4.48 Psychosis (a favourite text of ours).
As we walk with you through Eva’s room, you will find “home” videos of Eva’s memories. Here, we have an actress playing Eva, reading out the words of excerpts of 4.48 Psychosis (a favourite text of ours).
2 Click on the label for guided mental health commentary from accredited psychologists
3 The orange keywords are linked to a compendium for more in-depth reading.
3 The orange keywords are linked to a compendium for more in-depth reading.
This is a difficult one, not least due to the clear ethical violations by the therapist in question.
Let’s tackle this.
It is extremely inappropriate as a medical professional to tell your patient that you miss them and like them, especially after an awkward confession. While he has rightly pointed out the need for a good professional relationship, his words clearly do not back it up -- he has brought his personal feelings into the picture and conversation.
The lines are starting to blur, and impartiality has gone out of the window.
Second, the therapist’s mini rant. While it is perfectly normal for him to talk about his own stresses and discomfort about his job -- it is exceedingly unprofessional of him to say it in front of his client, one who has just confessed to having feelings for him.
The therapist may have been trying to distance himself from Eva, keeping in mind Eva’s romantic confession. In fact, the therapist might have been really stressed out.
Nonetheless, the therapist’s attempt to distance himself from Eva was done exceedingly poorly, and in some respects, unethically.
In the UK, for instance, there is an emotional safety framework for psychologists and psychiatrists, with supervisors within the system tasked with clinically overseeing their work, as well as supporting each psychologist or psychiatrist under their care emotionally, with full understanding that their daily job is an emotionally taxing one. Yes, a course is needed to learn such skills.
It may be prudent for more places to adopt this scheme, for the benefit of patients and mental health professionals alike.
No matter the context, however - trust has been broken here.
It will take a lot of effort for Eva’s next therapist to repair her confidence in the therapeutic process again.
It is so important to continue the recovery process.