This keynote conference address argues that therapy can contribute to a positive future, but only if therapists recognize their own inherently side-taking position. It suggests that there is a polarization between therapy that views itself as a standardized 'expert system', and therapy as qualitative 'local knowledge', and that each of these implies its own position on how people and society should be. I then describe four fields where I believe therapy can contribute to a better future: work with conflict, societal trauma, ecopsychology, and power within the therapy relationship.
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