Watching the Murmurations: Contribution to a Panel Discussion on the Seismic Shifts in Ruling Principles

Abstract

How we work therapeutically is an important part of an ongoing conversation among us as clinicians. How does each of us come to terms with political, religious, and cultural influences? When do or should we raise issues about the cultural, political, and religious attitudes that influence our clients and ourselves, since we know these must affect our work together, consciously or unconsciously? How and when should we respond to or raise these issues in the analytic hour, if at all? And how do these affect our work analytically and ethically? What are the professional or theoretical standards, norms, and judgments that guide, caution or prevent us from exploring these issues in the analytic process?