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Can deception be therapeutic?

South Downs Health NHS Trust, Brighton BN1 3RJ

Sir: In their letter, Gralton and Sandford (Psychiatric Bulletin, March 2002, 26, 114) admit withholding information from their patient, suggesting, however, that she ‘was not told a lie’.

It was impressed upon many like me in our school-days that to tell less than the truth is to tell a lie. If we, as a profession, reject this version of the matter, might we not reasonably be accused of attempting to deceive ourselves?

Public confidence is paramount, so to defend deception under any circumstances is a risky business. Why take chances?

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Culliford, L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Culliford, L.