Good Will Hunting

[The Everglow]

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Hi all!

What style of therapy, or psychological orientation (psychodynamic, cognitive, humanist, etc.) do you guys think Sean (Robin Williams) utilizes in his therapy with Will (Matt Damon)?

I know it's a movie, and I know it's a somewhat silly question, but in your opinion, how would you describe his orientation?

Just curious!

 

[deleted106747]

Post clips 🙂

 

[The Everglow]

I'm not sure I can legally do that 🙁

 

[deleted106747]

There's none on youtube?

 

[The Everglow]

Ok here's a few:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQf7O3GeHVk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WAylnO5gtA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92D15qtI_Gk

 

[PsychPhDone]

hollywood

 

[deleted106747]

hollywood

This. Very entertaining though. Perhaps if it wasn't hollywood it'd be interpersonal.

 

[syzergy]

Urgh. Almost all of my undergraduate psychology classes made us watch this movie, either in class or out of class with a resulting paper or in class discussion. So freaking sick of Good Will Hunting.

 

[The Everglow]

I know it's Hollywood, but that's sort of my point. Some very famous and respected therapists think that is one of the most accurate portrayals of therapy by hollywood, along with HBO's In Treatment. So yes althoug it's Hollywood, in your best judgement what orientation is he practicing from within?

 

[roubs]

Dang, I want to join whatever school trained him to say "You know you'd be better off shoving that cigarette up your ass" within 2:00 of meeting a client then proceed to grab the guy by his neck and shove him into a bookcase. Sign me up!

Some very famous and respected therapists think that is one of the most accurate portrayals of therapy by hollywood

Really? That stuff?

 

[deleted106747]

Dang, I want to join whatever school trained him to say "You know you'd be better off shoving that cigarette up your ass" within 2:00 of meeting a client then proceed to grab the guy by his neck and shove him into a bookcase. Sign me up!



Really? That stuff?

Hence, interpersonal

 

[Markro311]

Doesn't this sound like a homework question for a class? Given the time of year, I'll give the poster the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I know it's Hollywood, but that's sort of my point. Some very famous and respected therapists think that is one of the most accurate portrayals of therapy by hollywood, along with HBO's In Treatment. So yes althoug it's Hollywood, in your best judgement what orientation is he practicing from within?

Season 1 of In Treatment definitely is one of the better portrayals of psychotherapy, though even that is a bit over the top (the ethical/boundaries issues are more black and white in real life).

 

[2012PhD]

Season 1 of In Treatment definitely is one of the better portrayals of psychotherapy, though even that is a bit over the top (the ethical/boundaries issues are more black and white in real life).

agreed. In treatment style is probably the closest you will get to psychodynamic therapy on TV--although its way more dramatic and hollywood style.

I don't think good will hunting is really a good example of any therapy. Many people who haven't done therapy think therapy is easy and akin to giving advice to your friends. These movies just perpetuate this distortion.

 

[FadedC]

For one of my classes people had to review various movies for ethical violations, and my professor had also said that Robin Williams was probably one of the more ethical psychologists in a Hollywood movie. It's important to understand however that Hollywood psychologists are frequently highly unethical (in terms of the APA ethics code) so being one of the most ethical among them is still a dubious honor.

 

[2012PhD]

Doesn't this sound like a homework question for a class? Given the time of year, I'll give the poster the benefit of the doubt.

totally a summer course. i had the same thought.

Go do your research on psychodynamic, interpersonal, CBT, and humanistic therapies, ms. pre-health

 

[MrQuack]

Some intuitive, improve crap spawned out of California professional schools.

 

[2012PhD]

Some intuitive, improve crap spawned out of California professional schools.

on target!

They just forgot the sex with your client intervention that was also developed in california

 

[futureapppsy2]

Season 1 of In Treatment definitely is one of the better portrayals of psychotherapy, though even that is a bit over the top (the ethical/boundaries issues are more black and white in real life).

That said, some psychologists/therapists in real life *do* blur or break boundaries, sadly.

 

[The Everglow]

totally a summer course. i had the same thought.

Go do your research on psychodynamic, interpersonal, CBT, and humanistic therapies, ms. pre-health

I was simply asking a question of opinion. I understand it's a movie. I understand it's Hollywood. It was a simple question. Is the condescending tone necessary?

 

[aequitasveritas]

Absolutely ridiculous thread right down from the OP to the ensuing comments

 

[Buzzwordsoldier]

on target!

They just forgot the sex with your client intervention that was also developed in california

Actually you'd be better off thanking Breuer. Guess you and the increasingly adolescent seeming Mr. Q might want to enroll in a few history classes available out this way... 😎

 

[2012PhD]

Actually you'd be better off thanking Breuer. Guess you and the increasingly adolescent seeming Dr. Q might want to enroll in a few history classes available out this way... 😎

people are taking this thread too seriously. I was just joking around b/c i think this is a ridiculous thread overall as others have mentioned.

 

[berlin81]

I can somewhat understand that others think it is too "Hollywood" to analyze the type of therapy in Good Will Hunting. But to get to the OP's question...

I guess its a mix of interpersonal and psychodynamic. The first session was clearly set to show Will that despite working with Sean, he was heavily familiar with the customary interactions of Will's social background. Plus, Sean used his relatedness of Will's background to show that any person can become extremely defensive when you bring up a sensitive subject (ie, Sean's late-wife). In a sense, Sean was normalizing but also setting boundaries, all in order to keep Will intrigued and able to willingly return.

The later sessions seem more interpersonal-oriented. Normalizing still occurred (ie, talking about dating and the "imperfections" of the significant other), but Sean also showed (especially in the last session) that Will's past abuse does should not automatically mean that he is unable to have a meaningful life.

Overall, I think Sean's work with Will does portray a Hollywood-like portrayal of therapy, where the client-therapist relationship can bring forward insight and an ability to self-reflect. However, I think Sean does bring attention to how not all past and present relationships in Will's life simply cannot be interpersonal, which to me seems like a return to psychodynamic.

I am simply guessing on this stuff, but I personally enjoyed giving some thought to the question.

 

[berlin81]

I can somewhat understand that others think it is too "Hollywood" to analyze the type of therapy in Good Will Hunting. But to get to the OP's question...

I guess its a mix of interpersonal and psychodynamic. The first session was clearly set to show Will that despite working with Sean, he was heavily familiar with the customary interactions of Will's social background. Plus, Sean used his relatedness of Will's background to show that any person can become extremely defensive when you bring up a sensitive subject (ie, Sean's late-wife). In a sense, Sean was normalizing but also setting boundaries, all in order to keep Will intrigued and able to willingly return.

The later sessions seem more interpersonal-oriented. Normalizing still occurred (ie, talking about dating and the "imperfections" of the significant other), but Sean also showed (especially in the last session) that Will's past abuse does should not automatically mean that he is unable to have a meaningful life.

Overall, I think Sean's work with Will does portray a Hollywood-like portrayal of therapy, where the client-therapist relationship can bring forward insight and an ability to self-reflect. However, I think Sean does bring attention to how not all past and present relationships in Will's life simply cannot be interpersonal, which to me seems like a return to psychodynamic.

I am simply guessing on this stuff, but I personally enjoyed giving some thought to the question.

 

[deleted106747]

Absolutely ridiculous thread right down from the OP to the ensuing comments

But being ridiculous is fun sometimes.

 

[aequitasveritas]

Actually you'd be better off thanking Breuer. Guess you and the increasingly adolescent seeming Dr. Q might want to enroll in a few history classes available out this way... 😎

....there you go with your professional school mumbo jumbo😀

What are we illegitimate children to do, Buzz?

 

[SpiritBender]

hahaha this thread got away from you huh?

Having watched it recently i'd say "Rational Emotive Therapy" & "Humanistic Existential Therapy" & "Child Psychology"

RET: Because of the in your face challenges RW was giving out to MD the whole sitting in silence etc.. almost like saying i dont care if i have to sit here quietly if it breaks up your irrational beliefs you punk kid lol..

HET: The famous "it's not your fault bit" it shows him that your not the only one who has gone through this and even though your a genius your not that special calm down and go get a job haha..

CP: It almost look like child psychology with a patient who has ODD you gotta make them see you as a equal and someone they can relate too, someone who is in charge but isnt the "man" as seen by pushing him around and not taking his crap yet opening up about the his dead wife, helping him with sklyar and the job search..👍

 

[Buzzwordsoldier]

....there you go with your professional school mumbo jumbo😀

What are we illegitimate children to do, Buzz?

Yeah -- as you know, out in these parts we're given limited license to analyze the practices of such media-portrayed psychologists as Dr. Marvin Monroe and Dr. Foster.

 

[DrGachet]

I love the paranoia that sets in every single time there is a general question like that, one that has the potential to be asked as a homework assignment. Suddenly everybody turns into a cop and the OP to the person bicycling at night. What are you doing here at this hour? What you got in your pockets? Why do you have fifty bucks? Why do you need so much cash? To buy something, like what? You better not be buying dope with that money! Buy groceries?! No, no, sounds like dope!