The Myth of Psychotherapy : Mental Healing As Religion, Rhetoric, and Repression

This intriguing book undercuts everything you thought you knew about psychotherapy.

Until recently, "bad" and "immoral" were the terms used to describe people who are now referred to as "sick. " Moral and religious perspectives have been replaced by medical and therapeutic rhetoric. It is no wonder the world is plagued by legions of rapists, druggies, murderers, thieves, and child abusers, all of whom are now said to have "addictions" and are thus "mentally ill. " Moral relativism, bolstered by psychotherapy, has prevailed over the traditional ideas of self-control, individual responsibility, and moral culpability. Thomas Szasz moves to demythologize psychotherapy itself in a most provocative manner.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. the myth of psychotherapy 2. persuading persons: rhetoric as remedy 3. curing souls: religion as remedy 4. franz anton mesmer: metaphorizing magnetism 5. johann christian heinroth: repression as remedy 6. wilhelm erb, julius wagner-jauregg, and sigmund freud: electrical treatment 7. the psychoanalytic movement: franchising the Freudian faith 8. psychoanalysis as base rhetoric: oedipus, 9. sigmund freud: a jewish avenger 10. carl gustav jung: pastor without a pulpit 11. psychotherapy: medicine, religion, and power 12. psychotherapy and language: contemporary uses and abuses Contents Preface Pref ace to the First Edition Introduction The Problem of Psychotherapy The Precursorsof Psychotherapy The Paradigmof Psychotherapy The Politicsof Psychotherapy Notes Ackrwwledgments Index s/t: Mental Healing as Religion, Rhetoric & Repression