ABSTRACT
The attempt to put the other first can significantly change our notion of being such that, for example, it can help us be taken away from the dangers of a Frank Sinatra I-did-it-my-way form of therapy based on ego psychology, which seems to permeate so much of our therapies, whether classified as humanistic, psychoanalytic, behavioural or existential. The client comes from below with his needs, pleading for responsibility from the therapist. The therapist comes from below to see his face, listen to his story and respond responsibly to him above her with his infinite dignity. Richard House notes that Sayre, in particular, highlights the manner in which Levinasian thought takes us beyond conventional ‘technical’ therapy while insightfully picking up and expanding upon the ‘contramodernity’ of Levinas, which he feels is one of the major themes of Clegg and Slife’s article.
