Truth, Honesty, and the Therapeutic Process

The place of honesty and truthfulness in the therapeutic process has rarely been discussed in the psychiatric literature, although Freud placed great emphasis on the need for truthfulness. The author affirms the importance of absolute honesty by both therapist and patient, but cautions that the patient's ability to be honest may be limited by neurotic defenses and that the therapist must use discretion in sharing his honest appraisals with the patient. "Truth" is distinguished from honesty by the author, and its place in therapy is evaluated.