Speaking the Unspoken – Breaking the Silence, Myths, and Taboos That Hurt Therapists and Patients

This book discusses how silence around taboo topics can undermine the teaching, practice, and profession of psychotherapy, and aims to help readers overcome barriers to speaking up.

The authors describe current and historical contexts that can make frank discussion difficult, and present factors that play a role in self-silencing. Specific strategies, including questions for reflection and group exercises, are offered for building the courage to talk more openly, honestly, and directly in the therapy office and beyond. Several chapters focus on topics that often fall prey to silence, including physical difference and disability, sexual orientation, sexual reactions to clients, therapist feelings of anger, oppression, white supremacy culture, religion, money and fees, and death and dying.

Speaking the Unspoken seeks to create a dialogue, encouraging the active involvement of the reader throughout the book to deepen their understanding of these underexamined topics and improve their ability to help clients and strengthen the profession.