I'd Like To Know Whether This Ever Happens In Real Life Therapy?

Question: In the movie Good Will Hunting, the psychologist takes the difficult 20 year old out of his office and they sit talking on a park bench. My guess is that it was probably a make-or-break move but I'd like to know what you think, and whether this sort of thing ever happens in real life therapy?

Answer (1) In adolescent and young children work it is quite common to take them out of the office environment to facilitate discussion. Outside areas often prove to provide a bit of a prop for the young person to discuss things in his or her own time. It is often confronting being stuck face to face in an office with a therapist. I have done this myself and often offer the option for particularly difficult cases where the young person clearly does not feel comfortable sitting across from me. It is effective and usually aids the client/therapist relationship which means it is more than likely therapy will be successful. I always ask where the young person would like to go for a walk, sit somewhere or show me something of importance to them like a game they like to play etc.

Answer provided by Jacqueline McDiarmid, Psychotherapist

Answer (2) Yes, it does and can be really helpful and healing. I'm always a little surprised that most of our work is done in rooms with a closed door. This is not always good for clients who have experienced, abuse, trauma or torture in the confines of closed rooms. I have taken a client who has a history of severe trauma to a nearby park for our sessions. It helped create a sense of safety and ease for her. After a few sessions in the park she was more comfortable to resume work in my counselling room. The downside of being outdoors is that there are people walking around and doesn't necessarily provide the confidentiality needed.

Answer provided by Shushann Movsessian, Psychotherapist

Answer (3) The necessity for boundaries is ever present. Love everywhere is a thorny affair and sometimes true dialogue can only occur on a park bench on the street rather than on a sofa in the office. Sometimes the last minute of an interaction in the outer office is the most significant, when the boundary between mingling and distance is just right. I like this story from Shopenhauer's Porcupines by Deborah Anne Luepnitz (2002): 'A troop of porcupines is milling on a cold winter's day. In order to keep from freezing, the animals move closer together. Just as they are close enough to huddle, however, they start to poke each other with their quills. In order to stop the pain, they spread out, lose the advantage of co-mingling, and again begin to shiver. this sends them back in search of each other, and the cycle repeats as they struggle to find a comfortable distance between entanglement and freezing.'

Answer provided by Peter Fox, Clinical Psychologist

Answer (4) I cannot speak as a psychologist but therapists of all disciplines are diverse in their practice. Not all are afraid to leave the office. So long as the therapist is honest, and is purposeful in what they do, then they could be said to be attempting to treat their client. As with all fields of endeavour, once in a while, there are some who go a safe distance beyond the expected or conventional, and as a result, sometimes, achieve the remarkable. Aside from all that, films which stay in the office can become visually and dramatically uninspiring to a paying audience.

Answer provided by John Hunter, Counsellor

Answer (5) I do not believe in providing therapy in parks or anywhere outside my rooms. However I do know of people who are not thinking the same way as I am. Therapeutic relationship is a very important component in the recovery process and I feel that by offering therapy in such an unconventional setting may compromise this relationship. On occasions I will offer incidental therapy if necessary but would encourage potential clients to make an appointment in order to engage in formal therapy.

Answer provided by Eva Fera, Psychologist

Answer (6) I have done a similar thing before. The context was that I was working with a client with panic disorder, and we went outside the offices to a nearby park bench, where we practiced methods of dealing with anxiety and panic. The aim was to allow a relatively safe method of practicing the skills we had discussed in session, and for me to give guidance as to how further homework could be completed. Although this is a bit different to general "therapy" - it does happen! Usually however, sessions will be in an office setting.

Answer provided by Nicholas Rooke, Psychologist