The recent "ethics" books and articles I've seen seem more centered around defensive practice--avoiding the appearance of violation which can open the therapist to legal liability. Unlike in a normal human relationship which might be mended with a simple "I'm sorry,"a therapist might see fault admission an opening to a law suit or official complaint. I do wonder if this sense of threat causes at least some of the therapists' difficulties I read on PC.

In reviewing my rupture, I sensed that my therapist was invested in concocting his legal defense rather helping me. I didn't bail quickly enough because the therapist used every tactic possible to stop my termination.