Exploring the advent of a pervasive therapeutic society that disempowers the individual, while empowering professionals in the therapy industry, this book may make for provoking reading for teachers wishing to reflect critically on their practice.
Therapy culture: cultivating vulnerability in an uncertain age
Character and non-cognitive development
Mental health
Pastoral care and wellbeing
Pupil development and support
Social/welfare support
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Synopsis
Professor Furedi describes a cultural shift away from personal responsibility and agency to a world obsessed by therapy, in which emotion reigns supreme and states once regarded as normal – disappointment, isolation, tiredness, depression – now merit immediate attention, intervention and remedial action, spawning a new therapy industry in the process.
Furedi claims that therapeutic culture is primarily about imposing a new conformity through the management of people's emotions. By framing the problems of everyday life through the prism of emotions, therapeutic culture incites people to feel powerless and ill. He describes a society in which therapeutic ideas and practices have become all pervasive, but should be resisted.
Though not explicitly related to education, his theories have implications for pupil wellbeing and mental support, as well as teachers’ mental state.