Arrogant Quote by David D. Burns
“There is no 'ultimate goal of therapy.' Thinking there is some ultimate or universal goal of therapy is one of the most fundamental errors of our field. To me, that concept is rather arrogant, as if therapists were some kind of spiritual experts who knew what human beings are supposed to be like.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, David D. Burns, 1980
Therapy should focus on individual client needs rather than a single, universal endpoint, avoiding the arrogance of assuming a one‑size‑fits‑all outcome.
In simple terms: Therapy lacks a single ultimate goal.
Key Takeaway
Tailor therapy to each person.
Themes
therapy
individualization
humility
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
clinical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- counseling sessions
- mental health treatment plans
- client intake assessments
Key Concepts
person‑centered care
clinical ethics
goal setting
Questions to Reflect On
- How can therapists identify each client’s unique goals?
- What risks arise from imposing a single therapeutic endpoint?
A Different Perspective
Assuming a universal goal may overlook cultural and personal differences.
![“The idea [of therapy] isn't to give people answers, or lead their bark of longing into a safe, dull, protected harbor, but to make people aware of the depths of possibility in their hearts and lives; help them remove the barriers that keep them from being the people they were meant to be.” quote by John O'Donohue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c2a/john-o-donohue-1919_answers_the-idea-of-therapy-isn-t-to-give-people_2908134.jpg)
![“[T]he tax code has been piling up, year after year, a symbol of everything gone wrong in America, of arrogant rulers and lost freedom, just waiting for us to pick the whole thing up and heave it away. It has to happen. Free people can put up with such laws only for so long.” quote by Dick Armey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aed/dick-armey-16265_america_t-he-tax-code-has-been-piling-up-year-af_12886.jpg)
