Can my therapist legally and ethically make me do this?

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I was wondering if it is legal for a therapist/psychologist to give me this ultimatum; that I either cut out all violent media in my life, including manga, TV, books, anything with violent content (my main source being black-and-white manga (like Fullmetal Alchemist, Battle Angel Alita, Claymore, which are all very mainstream, not extreme or illegal)), or else she would have to "suspend" our sessions indefinitely until I do. Is it legal, or even ethical for her to do this to me?

I go to this psychologist completely of my own free will; there is no obligation/court order for me to see her, and I have never committed any sort of crime. I just have Aspergers!

I suffer from depression. She says that the angry/violent images I see in the manga that I read are adding to that depression. I listened to her because obviously I don't want to lose my psychologist. But this ultimatum has many problems in and of itself;

First off, she wants me to either get rid of my manga or put them away and never look at them again, or get rid of them. That's about a grand in manga that is mostly out of print and out of my pocket.
Second, how am I supposed to totally eliminate violent media from my life? If this is the case, I can't watch most TV shows, listen to most music; really, I would have to be almost completely shut off from the outside world.
Third, I became MUCH MORE depressed when I thought about doing what she told me. Hmm, isn't that what she wanted to help get rid of, not fester?
I've tried to do this before, like with the music I listen to on my Ipod. It drives me crazy with boredom and restlessness. I will admit that she says that it sounds like an "addiction" to anger/violence, and I agree.

But who doesn't enjoy some great action? It's not like the black-and-white anime/manga style is the same as a snuff film by any means!

And lastly, she told me I need to fill my head with positive and inspirational things ONLY. That's like putting someone on a rabbit-food ONLY diet for the rest of their lives.

I'll be honest, I think about violence and angry things a lot, it's interesting to me. Things that are "inspirational" or just without action bore me to death!! ! Her side of this is that the violence in these manga/comic books is similar to "hitting yourself in the arm over and over, and then trying to feel a softer touch", and that's why I feel absolutely dead when I try to watch or read something else.

I want to know what you guys think, honestly and frankly. Is it legal or ethical for her to "require" me to do this? Should I do this? What would you do in this situation?

Thanks.

_________________

Battle Angel Alita

Ultimatums rarely work. Of course I can't know everything that led up to it. But attempting to force an issue often blows up.

If this psychologist has been truly helpful in the past, then it might be worth considering her advice. She may see something you don't. Otherwise I'm thinking a new therapist is in your future.

Yes, it's perfectly legal and ethical for a therapist to place stipulations on continued voluntary sessions.

You should tell your psychologist that you aren't prepared to get rid of your media PERMANENTLY, since it sounds like you have suspicions about the value of this course of treatment. Express your doubts in session, and perhaps offer to have these items tended to by a friend or family member for a certain amount of time. Be open to learning whatever it is that you can from the exercise, and don't view it as punishment. (The fact that you are so inflexible about doing without this media does suggest addictive behavior.)

If you agree to work with your therapist, and your doubts about the course of treatment remain after a *reasonable* period of time, and your therapist remains firm on that stipulation... the worst outcome is that you learn more about yourself, recover your media, and have a better sense of moderation.

I would have voted both the first and 3rd if I could have. I'm no expert, but I see no reason why it wouldn't be legal. She can set rules for seeing a client, for what's acceptable. And you have the choice not to see her.

As for ethical, I've no clue. I'd need to know more about ethics standards in that field, as well as the particular situation.

I'd look for a new shrink. She is within her rights. She might even have a valid point. You might consider cutting back a bit, and see if it makes a difference. Despite this, I think that all-or-nothing thinking seems a bit extreme in this case. It sounds like she thinks that she is dealing with an addiction, but your issues are not so cut-and-dried. As you point out, in this culture, it is pretty much impossible to avoid some violent imagery.

Here's another thought. Just suppose for the sake of argument that she is right and you really need to do this. Make a "contract" with her. Pack it all up in boxes and don't touch any of it for 30 days. Just to see what happens. The contract gives you control over the situation, puts a definite boundary on it and shows her that you are serious about working on your issues.

How about you compromise, try it for a week? Maybe they are onto something. I imagine you don't have to get rid of it, just stash it away for a bit.

I hardly watch TV at all, films only rarely. I think being exposed to noise and anger and violence does have an effect. It's the news that gets to me the worst though

How will the therapist know if you've complied or not?

Do you pay this person? I imagine not.

??? How can this possibly be illegal or even unethicall???

She has a right to refuse service just as you have a right to fire her.

If she feels that she is getting nowhere with you (or progress is stilted) and the cause is your obsessions then she has every right to give you that ultimatum.

It may be time for you guys to split paths if you feel like you know better.

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If you choose to abstain from your violent manga. I would recommend finding some material which is non violent which you are okay with reading. Music as well. Having something to fall back on is better than nothing.

If you agree to this, ask her if it's all right for you to watch the evening news with all the violent BS they broadcast.

I don't think it's reasonable for your therapist to make you get rid of your manga.

I think some of her advice is valid, mostly the violent images adding to depression. Ultimately, you get to choose what course of action you need to take. I think looking for a new therapist is another option.

If you feel the need to have manga/anime or what have you for a coping mechanism, then she/he probably needs to know that, cos I know I wouldn't want to take someone's coping mechanisms away without giving them something else to go in stead.

If her suggestion bothers you enough, I think you should get a second opinion. People do that for medical diagnosis all the time. Why not for this situation? And any professional therapist should roll with this concept.

She probably thinks you are addicted to your manga and violent imagery and that taking all of those things away will magically fix your problems. It's a bit naive, at best, and it doesn't address the core issues that you're dealing with.

That said, you might still benefit from following her advice. At least test it out and see how it works for you. I've found that violence affects me quite a bit personally. It's not that I become violent, but it does affect my mood for the worse and makes me irritable. I recall this one film class I took where we watched nothing but depressing movies the entire semester... I was in a bad mood after each class.

But, of course, everyone is different. I know my boyfriend can watch violent movies and think nothing of them. Perhaps it really doesn't affect you.

What I'd suggest: try for the next week to just put your stuff away and see about getting a new "hobby". Try learning how to draw or write a story. Pick something that sounds interesting to you and run with it for the week. If it doesn't go well, make a big list of complaints, take it to your therapist, and see how she responds. If she's still entirely unhelpful, then just start seeking out someone new. Particularly someone who is familiar with AS.

Nobody has the right to take anybody's special interests away from them, period.