September 2009 PMID 19670051

The elephant on the couch: side-effects of psychotherapy.

Michael Berk, Gordon Parker

Mentions

22
Peak: 4 in Oct 2024
across 6 sources since Jun 2019

Extended reach

73,184
potential audience

Total likes

120

Video views

9,092

Mentions per month

Jun 2019 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook1 posts
  • Reddit1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions explore the side effects of psychotherapy, with some posts emphasizing the importance of self-reflection among therapists and criticizing paternalistic attitudes, while others compare the risks to that of unreported medication side effects. The tone varies from concern to critique, driven by phrases like 'disgusting paternalism' and references to long-term effects, showing active engagement and critical perspectives on therapy's impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the existence of side effects in psychotherapy, supporting the article's focus.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show active curiosity, with mentions of specific concerns like long-term effects and harm, indicating high interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts critique therapeutic practices and call for greater self-reflection among practitioners, demonstrating moderate but meaningful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Concerns raised about side effects and the need for critical evaluation suggest some influence on perceptions of therapy’s safety and efficacy.

Abstract in brief

  • The book "The Elephant on the Couch" discusses the common challenges and misconceptions related to psychotherapy, including emotional struggles and resistance to treatment.
  • It highlights various side effects of psychotherapy, such as emotional discomfort, confronting difficult memories, and the potential for temporary worsening of symptoms before improvement occurs.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of understanding these side effects and encourages persistence and patience in the therapy process for long-term mental health benefits.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Lawrence Patihis, PhD
@lawrencepatihis · X

There is a branch of research that discusses possible side effects of therapy. https://t.co/U6QdblngmO

Oct 22, 2024 · 11 likes · 3 shares · 1,974 followers View post →
د. حسين ال عماد
@Drhussainalemad · X

@IQHakami بشكل عام،، كل طريقة علاجية قد تعالج،، تحمل في طياتها احتمال الضرر فالمشكلة قد تكمن في اختيار الطريقة المناسبة والمريض المناسب والمعالج المناسب هنا مقال اخر يشرح العوامل المؤثرة في وجود ضرر من العلاج الكلامي https://t.co/ORxkNmLLGm

May 6, 2023 · 4 likes · 24,860 followers View post →
Lauren C.
@Lau_Cob_ · X

The Elephant on the Couch: Side-Effects of Psychotherapy - Michael Berk, Gordon Parker, 2009 https://t.co/n2KQvE1EFV

Jan 10, 2022 · 2 likes · 2,550 followers View post →
Joe Pierre, MD
@psychunseen · X

@doctorid https://t.co/gh4VO1hGd5

Mar 5, 2021 · 1 like · 8,931 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

CBT anxiety: not much data after 12 months https://t.co/Hr2s4XuMgM group therapy depression: small/no long term effect https://t.co/tBhjKjo4uw negative side effects of therapy in some patients https://t.co/gBDrjzS4Tp imagine a dr giving you a drug & not telling you side effects

Dec 30, 2021 · 1 like · 8,805 followers View post →
manlyman
@ManlyManViking · X

@gino_neutrino @Gruftmolch @SabbiTweet @BrienneduLac @Fredelapetite @JankaKluge @CptBucklew @Binar10101 @Sub_Versia @LarissaNikolaus @DaniFleck1 @PishnurgPumm @ap_schulz @RanmaS1 @_Espenlaub @Lena_Reiner @Graeumel @bullrike @Mariann19042022 @RubensAsterias @UlrikeDesi @AnnettScheurich @MoonSpell2 @MWagner1971 @Lamiri1973 @Freawaru @DSternenthaler @nemesis_nice @gespraechswert @AgostinoDM @Nachtsimall @cartoontomb @Max36940957 @stein_til @Bude_an @schiffmoell @Sblumendorfer @ImHarland @ringelkaro @Reptar_Crane @WurmMiss @TransUndercover @BijanTavassoli @Reduxx @ReduxxMag Iatrogene Schädigung gibt es überall, das ist nicht limitiert auf diese Behandlungsmethode. Eventuell ist es einfach besser mit Kindern und Jugendlichen nicht zur Therapie zu rennen und das Ender der Pubertät abzuwarten. https://t.co/6nzsRc3uQC https://t.co/c17jRtLVIZ

Mar 19, 2024 · 1 like · 878 followers View post →

All mentions

Dr Waseem PsyD
@WAlladin1 · X

RT @lawrencepatihis: There is a branch of research that discusses possible side effects of therapy. https://t.co/U6QdblngmO

Oct 22, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,949 followers View post →
Lawrence Patihis, PhD
@lawrencepatihis · X

RT @lawrencepatihis: There is a branch of research that discusses possible side effects of therapy. https://t.co/U6QdblngmO

Oct 22, 2024 · 3 shares · 1,974 followers View post →
Nathalia Le Hen
@NathaliaLeHen · X

RT @lawrencepatihis: There is a branch of research that discusses possible side effects of therapy. https://t.co/U6QdblngmO

Oct 22, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,800 followers View post →
Lawrence Patihis, PhD
@lawrencepatihis · X

There is a branch of research that discusses possible side effects of therapy. https://t.co/U6QdblngmO

Oct 22, 2024 · 11 likes · 3 shares · 1,974 followers View post →
manlyman
@ManlyManViking · X

@gino_neutrino @Gruftmolch @SabbiTweet @BrienneduLac @Fredelapetite @JankaKluge @CptBucklew @Binar10101 @Sub_Versia @LarissaNikolaus @DaniFleck1 @PishnurgPumm @ap_schulz @RanmaS1 @_Espenlaub @Lena_Reiner @Graeumel @bullrike @Mariann19042022 @RubensAsterias @UlrikeDesi @AnnettScheurich @MoonSpell2 @MWagner1971 @Lamiri1973 @Freawaru @DSternenthaler @nemesis_nice @gespraechswert @AgostinoDM @Nachtsimall @cartoontomb @Max36940957 @stein_til @Bude_an @schiffmoell @Sblumendorfer @ImHarland @ringelkaro @Reptar_Crane @WurmMiss @TransUndercover @BijanTavassoli @Reduxx @ReduxxMag Iatrogene Schädigung gibt es überall, das ist nicht limitiert auf diese Behandlungsmethode. Eventuell ist es einfach besser mit Kindern und Jugendlichen nicht zur Therapie zu rennen und das Ender der Pubertät abzuwarten. https://t.co/6nzsRc3uQC https://t.co/c17jRtLVIZ

Mar 19, 2024 · 1 like · 878 followers View post →
Duncan Double
@DBDouble · X

@WillPSSD @f_hieronymus @pssd_awareness @shvogt @jill_d35 @DuthieAlyne @benzosarebad @recover2renew @ChrisGovernale @ROSIE_PSSD @BadQualityMemes @Lobotapro For example https://t.co/IKi2q04qhr

Nov 22, 2023 · 3,755 followers View post →
د. حسين ال عماد
@Drhussainalemad · X

@IQHakami بشكل عام،، كل طريقة علاجية قد تعالج،، تحمل في طياتها احتمال الضرر فالمشكلة قد تكمن في اختيار الطريقة المناسبة والمريض المناسب والمعالج المناسب هنا مقال اخر يشرح العوامل المؤثرة في وجود ضرر من العلاج الكلامي https://t.co/ORxkNmLLGm

May 6, 2023 · 4 likes · 24,860 followers View post →
Marcos Boyington
@iBringBalance · X

@poligraf @BolderNatalie This article gets right to that point, that we test medicine vigorously to make sure it has no negative side effects Yet with therapy, we make the claim it can make a world of difference without knowing if that difference isn't negative https://t.co/53C6qHqeA1

Mar 14, 2022 · 1,086 followers View post →
Lauren C.
@Lau_Cob_ · X

The Elephant on the Couch: Side-Effects of Psychotherapy - Michael Berk, Gordon Parker, 2009 https://t.co/n2KQvE1EFV

Jan 10, 2022 · 2 likes · 2,550 followers View post →
Lauren C.
@Lau_Cob_ · X

@LiviaDePicker @jaunty_aphorism @RelapseRover @RoseAnnieFlo No psychotherapist seems to have the self-reflection and critical thinking skills needed to a) listen to those with lived experience & b) acknowledge that they may be causing harm to those entrusted with their case. All I see here is disgusting paternalism.https://t.co/Kq5JmUwu6o

Jan 8, 2022 · 2,550 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

CBT anxiety: not much data after 12 months https://t.co/Hr2s4XuMgM group therapy depression: small/no long term effect https://t.co/tBhjKjo4uw negative side effects of therapy in some patients https://t.co/gBDrjzS4Tp imagine a dr giving you a drug & not telling you side effects

Dec 30, 2021 · 1 like · 8,805 followers View post →
Purple Centre
@purplecentre · X

https://t.co/dpDhckJP58

Nov 6, 2021 · 14 followers View post →
Joe Pierre, MD
@psychunseen · X

@doctorid https://t.co/gh4VO1hGd5

Mar 5, 2021 · 1 like · 8,931 followers View post →
Jean Challacombe
@JeanChallacombe · X

https://t.co/O3XkqAtk5n

Jun 14, 2019 · 883 followers View post →
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