There is evidence that some psychotherapies can be effective in helping to resolve some personal problems. However, it is argued in this course that the ‘therapeutic enterprise’ (its discourses, institutions, and personnel) is itself a problem because of the overwhelming focus on the ‘personal’ despite evidence that problems in society are the source of, and conceivable solution to, much psychological suffering. Therefore, the psychotherapeutic enterprise has a responsibility to its clients and a social responsibility to help resolve society’s problems.
