ABSTRACT
In order to gain integrity as a science, mental health disciplines historically tried to distance themselves from value issues by maintaining that therapeutic neutrality was both possible and optimal. However, a truly “value-free” therapy approach is not possible, and many have critiqued the ideal of purely objective clinical work, as values are always present in the therapeutic process. A fear of imposing values on clients can lead some therapists to sidestep value issues (Tjeltveit, 1986), and feeling unsure of how to address value issues with clients can lead to the ignoring of values (Fife & Whiting, 2007). Another common way to avoid the in±uence of values is for therapists to cite research to explain something to their clients that supports the therapist’s personal values (Fife & Whiting).
