ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses therapist “burnout” and how professional conduct should be regulated, bearing in mind that therapy is not a service like podiatry or the prescription of a hearing aid. People seek help for different reasons, although a problem often fits into one of the common categories, such as a difficulty in relationships, depressed mood, or anxiety. The role of a professional therapist is, of course, of recent historical origin. It differs from ordinary friendship because it is the client who is expected to open up while the therapist listens and asks questions. Psychotherapy addresses issues both big and small, and these are usually situated in a moral context. An extremely influential source of the “healing” metaphor for therapy is Jerome Frank’s idea that psychotherapy has much in common with traditional healing practices observed in societies all over the world.
