Perhaps the most common movie stereotype is of course the one where the therapist falls in love with the client or vice versa and, thus, the therapeutic process is suddenly terminated. Although sexual countertransference is strictly forbidden by the Ethics Code, films often encourage audiences to sympathize with the “lovers” by promoting the idea that this unethical stance is permissible as long as it benefits the client. In Stay (2005), the therapist (Foster), once having saved his suicidal client (Lila), is now in a relationship with her.
Another stereotype regarding the violation of boundaries is that of the therapists who use eccentric or even unreasonable practices in order to “cure” their clients. In Anger Management (2003), Jack Nicholson seems more like an unstable person- not to mention psychotic- rather than a professional therapist. He decides to move to his client’s apartment, he goes out with his girlfriend; he even climbs into bed with his client. It is clear enough that the ethical boundaries have been violated in many different ways but in the end we see that the whole act was for the shake of the client. This is one of the most prevalent stereotypes; an inappropriate therapeutic stance finally results in a positive client outcome.
Another common stereotype is the one where poor limits are set from the beginning of the therapeutic process. The myth of “the wounded healer” (Schultz, 2005) suggests that a therapist has so many unsolved issues in his/ her life that finally realizes that he/ she is as dis-tressed as the patient. One great example of this myth can be seen in Good Will Hunting (1997). Robin Williams, a highly effective therapist who connects well with his difficult pa-tient, crosses the boundaries by grabbing his client roughly by the throat, after he disrespects his wife during a therapy session. Furthermore, the therapist breaks confidentiality when dis-cussing about his client with his math professor. Partly the same case, in Analyze This (1999) the psychiatrist's son eavesdrops on sessions and spreads the gossip at cocktail parties. Such cases of therapists who set vague limits often blur the boundaries of acceptable and unaccept-able behavior within the therapeutic relationship.
Psychologized / June 2014