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Jørgen Akre Flor
Harmful Help: The possible negative effects of psychotherapy

Psychological treatment and psychotherapy are intended to reduce human suffering. When someone seeks help, the professional therapist shall listen to what is being told, contain it, and provide advice or interventions in order to help patients be able to develop new and more adaptive behavior, thought processes and emotional responses. It is therefore paradoxical that psychotherapy, provided with the best intentions, may have negative effects. How is it possible that such interventions aimed at curing mental disorder increase symptoms or suffering? How may something that is designed to help end up being harmful?

This book investigates contexts, areas, therapists and instances where psychological treatment is counterproductive; when doing nothing actually would have been more helpful. The authors also suggest possible steps toward a culture of greater openness and a safer mental health care system.

Jørgen Akre Flor

Jørgen Akre Flor
From the left: Jørgen Flor (photo Paal Audestad), Leif Edward Ottesen Kinnair (photo Aurora Nordnes)

Jørgen Akre Flor is a clinical psychologist in the Norwegian Mental Health Care system and has a private practice at Villa Sult, Oslo. He is a member of the Norwegian Psychology Association’s Ethical Board, and writes about patient safety in his blog jorgenflor.no.

Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, PhD, is professor of psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. He is a specialist of clinical adult psychology, and one of his fields of interest is research on effective treatment of anxiety disorders and depression.

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Edited November 23, 2020 by Gyldendal Agency