Psychotherapy as an Exercise in Value Conversion: Ethical Implications

Although there has been some research on the role of value conversion within therapy, such research tends to pertain to resolution of ethical dilemmas or specific instances of conflict between therapist and client values. This research takes a counter argument: rather than view value conversion as an occasional or isolated incident, it argues that such processes are integral to therapy. This argument is supported through a critical discourse analysis of the historic ‘Gloria Films’ featuring Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis, Fritz Perls and Gloria Szymanski. The research concludes value conversion is more prevalent and more complicated than is reflected in the existing literature and by current ethical frameworks. However it also concludes that although such conversion processes are integral to therapy, there is less evidence to support the view that such conversions are successful.