The Destruction Of Identity-Affirming Psychotherapy And Advocating For Your Future Self

In the fifth and final episode of “Depression & Anxiety,” Dr. Jordan B. Peterson hones in on the topics of identity and the future. The seriousness and gravity of the subjects he discusses in “Reconstructing The Future You” match the black-and-white cast of the production, but Peterson’s demeanor brings light to the episode. Posed with information to divulge, he begins, “One of the things that’s come up recently on the political front is this idea that psychotherapeutic care, and medical care for that matter, should be identity affirming. And this is absolutely 100% preposterous.”

Yet this is not a claim he avoids extrapolating. Peterson goes on to explain there are questions that should be asked with regard to identity affirmation: What do you mean by identity? How should identity be properly measured? What is the proper role of a therapist in relation to identity? As a licensed clinical psychologist, Peterson knows the ethical requirements by which therapists are bound. They are not to rely on the reports of sporadic emotion, as doing so violates ethical clinical care. Rather, therapists are to explore identity with their clients.

Such an initiative becomes one of elaboration of identity. Exploring identity is an undertaking a therapist engages in with their client by asking: Who are you? Peterson explains that might involve walking through your whole life: “Where did you come from? Who are you now? Where are you going?” Past, present, and future are all the parts of the whole.

Peterson explains the point of therapy in the context of this episode and the discussion of identity, but he makes a statement that applies to therapy at large: “We’re here so that things can be better for you, and we’re going to explore what ‘better’ means because that’s, in some ways, something you have to determine — conceivably in consultation with me because we’re trying to solve the problem. But you have to define what ‘better’ is.” Again, Peterson provides an element of hope, a running theme throughout this series.

WATCH: DR. JORDAN B. PETERSON’S SERIES, “DEPRESSION & ANXIETY,” ON DAILYWIRE+

While Peterson addresses that what you feel moment-to-moment is not incontrovertibly correct, he also explains the importance of developing the skills to discern what is true with regard to identity — and getting the story straight. A therapist can help people confront the traumas of their past, and writing about such trauma, though difficult, proves helpful and predicts improvement. People are able to figure out why and how they might avoid it again in the future.

But it is your future self that Peterson leads to in the conclusion of “Depression & Anxiety.” For years, Peterson has taught on the subject and necessity of aiming up, advocating that we should each do what we can in the confines of our own life in the unlimited expanse of the opportunity of our own lives to aim up. He reiterates this in his concluding episode, saying, “We’re aiming to make things better. I’m on the side of you that wants things to be better, so I’m an advocate for that — whatever that is. I’m an advocate for that, that part of your identity.” It is the betterment of lives that Peterson continually strives to impress upon his viewers, though it is not an undertaking to pursue without effort.

He explains this to be part of the true essence of effective psychotherapy. Genuine growth does not come from simple affirmation, as growth is by no means “simple.” It requires exploration, reconstruction, and meticulous attention to details of your own life, but it is a task that will lead to a future self worth pursuing.