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The author examines a difficult case that confronted her with a variety of ethical issues: individual therapy within the context of couples' therapy, problems encountered by rural therapists, and the question of when to refer. She presented this case to graduate counseling students to analyze and critique. The students recognized, as a result of this activity, that real-life ethical dilemmas are more complex than textbook examples, that there is a difference between aspirational principles and absolute standards, and that the ethical decision-making process is key. When an instructor presents her own imperfect work, she encourages students to be open about their real concerns.

In this article the author reflects on her upbringing, in which she was admonished to be cheerful and happy and not acknowledge unpleasantness. Consequently, as a young adult and a new psychotherapist she found herself detached from her own feelings as well as those of her clients. She recalls the evening that she became a more whole, more sensitive human being, and credits her therapy practice and her clients for keeping her that way.

Phyllis Chesler started writing 'Women and Madness' on her way back to New York from the 1970 annual convention of The American Psychological Assn. in Miami. At the convention, she had been laughed at when she asked that an alternative to a mental hospital be established. Although she later on wrote other books, 'Women and Madness' is 'the' book of her lifetime. Chesler shares her experience as a radical feminist in the academe. She describes it as living in a war zone. She also talks about betrayal of women by women.

Women have been isolated from nature by staying indoors far too long. This is perhaps due to fear of being attacked or raped when striking out into the wilds. The collection of essays addresses the therapeutic side of the wilderness and how risk can enhance women's self-esteem. This is the first collection of writings which deals with wilderness therapy for women. The symbolic value of accomplishments in the wilderness to women's mental health is also addressed.