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Therapist bias shapes what clients hear in therapy sessions

August 23, 2026 at 6:08 AM MT · via Public Square Magazine · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting

Therapist bias shapes what clients hear in therapy sessions
Image via Public Square Magazine

Vulnerable therapy clients may hear therapist endorsement of life decisions where therapists believe they are merely facilitating self-discovery, according to an analysis in Public Square Magazine. The piece examines how therapist bias can subtly shape client choices, particularly around religious identity and practice.

The author argues that therapists' own views about religion often influence client outcomes in ways that aren't acknowledged, even when therapists aim for neutrality. This becomes especially significant when clients are questioning religious commitments or navigating faith transitions.

The article raises questions about professional ethics and the extent to which therapy can ever be truly value-neutral, particularly on questions of meaning and identity.

Read the full story at Public Square Magazine

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