Moral Responsiveness and Disoontinuity in Therapy: A Quaiitative Study

Phenomenological qualitative methods were used to identify anci describe moral eiements in therapeutic reiationships. Using the relational JDhiiosophy of E. Levinas (1961/1969, 1979/1987) as a base, data in which therapists and ciients identified and described moraiiy responsive experiences in therapy sessions were anaiyzed. These moments were often unexpected and inciuded categories of surprise, interruption, wiiiingness to change, and ciarifications/repairs. Additionai morai phenomena reiated to therapists' attitudes included asymmetricai indebtedness, attitude of serving, and tentativeness of diagnosis, identified moments of morai responsiveness were frequently associated with clients' progress in therapy. This suggests that conceptuaiiy smooth and uninterrupted therapy may be iess helpfui than therapy that is discontinuous and able to change in the moment.