The Myth of Psychotherapy: Mental Healing as Religion, Rhetoric, and Repression

Until recently, "bad" and "immoral" were the terms used to describe people who are now referred to as "sick." Moral and religious perspectives have been replaced by medical and therapeutic rhetoric. It is no wonder the world is plagued by legions of rapists, druggies, murderers, thieves, and child abusers, all of whom are now said to have "addictions" and are thus "mentally ill." Moral relativism, bolstered by psychotherapy, has prevailed over the traditional ideas of self-control, individual responsibility, and moral culpability. Thomas Szasz moves to demythologize psychotherapy itself in a most provocative manner.