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In Therapy

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Psychotherapist Susie Orbach explores the relationship between therapist and patient.

Psychotherapist Susie Orbach explores the unique relationship between therapist and patient.

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In Therapy: Series 2

In Therapy: Series 2: Episode 5: John 1

Episode 5

Episode 5: John 1

Series 2

John 1

BBC Radio 4 - In Therapy, Series 2, John 1

Psychotherapist Susie Orbach meets retired railway worker and union man John.

Susie Orbach meets John. He is a retired railway worker, who has always been closely involved with union affairs. In a previous meeting, he has told Susie that he loves her.

Psychotherapist Susie Orbach explores the private relationship between therapist and patient. We join Susie in her consulting room, where she meets a different client each day.

Today, Susie meets John. He is a retired railway worker who has always been closely involved with union affairs. In a previous meeting he has told Susie that he loves her. 

All of the clients are played by actors, but these are not scripted scenes. Each client profile has been carefully constructed by therapist Susie, director Ian Rickson (former artistic director at the Royal Court, and director of the highly acclaimed Jerusalem) and radio producer Kevin Dawson. The client profiles have been given to the actors who have learned about the characters' lives, backgrounds, and reasons for seeking therapy. The scenes have then been improvised and recorded on concealed microphones at Susie's surgery. 

Throughout the encounters in this series, we get to hear the therapist at work, experiencing what it's like to eavesdrop on the most intimate of exchanges. 

To help us with our understanding of the process, Susie Orbach commentates on what is happening in the room, giving us an insight into her role as a therapist and shining a light on the journey both she and her patient have embarked upon.


Psychotherapist: Susie Orbach
John: Peter Wight
Producer: Kevin Dawson
Director: Ian Rickson

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

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In Therapy

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Episode 5: John 1

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