Power. Powerlessness and Abuse of Power in Psychotherapeutical Relations

Authors

  • Theo Piegler

Abstract

Relationships with an asymmetrical set-up are prone to abuse. With psychotherapists this appears mainly as narcissistic abuse and - much more rarely - also as sexual abuse. From a systemical point of view perpetrator and victim are involved in a pattern of collusion based on misuse of power. Especially those with early developmental disorders are in danger of becoming perpetrators or victims in this misuse of power dilemma - whether as patients or as therapists. Victims as well as perpetrators need appropriate psychotherapeutic help. A step towards prevention would be to diminish the power-dependence-relationship at psychotherapeutic training institutes.

Keywords:
Psychotherapy; Psychoanalysis; Psychiatry; Power; Abuse of power; Powerlessness

Author Biography

Theo Piegler

Dr. Theo Piegler, Arzt für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, Neurologie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin ist seit 1988 als Chefarzt der Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Bethesda-Allgemeines Krankenhaus gGmbH, Bergedorf in Hamburg tätig. Sein Interesse gilt der psychodynamischen Psychiatrie. Hierzu gibt es von ihm eine Reihe einschlägiger Publikationen. Er ist Mitbegründer der „Norddeutschen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für psychodynamische Psychiatrie" (NAPP) sowie Dozent und Lehrtherapeut der „Arbeitsgemeinschaft für integrative Psychoanalyse, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik Hamburg e.V." (APH) sowie Vorstandmitglied des regionalen psychosozialen Trägervereins „Der Begleiter e.V." und des „Fördervereins des Therapiezentrums für Selbstmordgefährdete (TZS) e.V." am Universitätsklinikum Hamburg.

Korrespondenz: Dr. med. Theo Piegler, Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Bethesda-AK gGmbH, Bergedorf, Gojenbergsweg 30, D-21029 Hamburg

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Published

2003-07-01

How to Cite

Piegler, T. (2003). Power. Powerlessness and Abuse of Power in Psychotherapeutical Relations. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, 11(3), 106–112. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/422

Issue

No. 3 (2003): Psychotherapie Forum 11/3 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Original Work

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