Myths of Counseling
This clinical psychologist says professional therapy is overused and overvalued. Christian counselors Louis McBurney, David Benner, Jay Adams, and Gary Collins respond.
Bernie Zilbergeld
January 1, 1984
After fifteen years of research, a Berkeley-trained psychologist named Bernie Zilbergeld has decided to speak frankly about his profession. His conclusions are based upon twelve years as a practicing therapist (and five as a patient), in-depth interviews with 140 former patients, and lengthy discussions with a cross-range of 14 colleagues. Here, in an excerpt from his new book The Shrinking of America: Myths of Psychological Change (Little, Brown, 1983), he examines eight common assumptions about professional counseling. LEADERSHIP sent this material to four prominent Christian counselors and asked for their reactions. Their comments follow. Myth No. 1
THERE IS ONE BEST THERAPY
Each therapist tends to believe that his own approach is the best for just about everything. But most of the evidence does not support the idea of a single "best treatment." Most of the well known methods usually produce similar results for most problems. The same holds true for different formats: by and large, similar changes are reported by those in individual, group, and couples therapy. The unavoidable conclusion is that if you're suffering from any of the common ailments that people take to psychotherapy-confusion, depression, low self-esteem, distressed relationships or inability to form them, difficulties in decision-making, and so on-you can expect about the same results regardless of which therapy you choose. There are a few exceptions to this rule: behavior therapy (brief, symptom-oriented treatment aimed at dealing with people's actions rather than their underlying attitudes) is significantly more effective than other techniques for dealing with some common phobias, sexual problems, and compulsions. There is also an important exception regarding ...
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