October 31, 2007

Anne Sweeney
President, Disney-ABC Television Group
ABC Entertainment
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank , CA 92121-4551

David E. Kelley
David E. Kelley Productions
1600 Rosecrans Avenue
Building 4B
Manhattan Beach , CA 90266

Dear Ms. Sweeney and Mr. Kelley:
  
On October 9, 2007, ABC aired an episode of the Boston Legal series titled "The Chicken and the Leg."  During this program, characters Katie Lloyd and Jerry Espenson took on the case of a woman who alleged that a psychologist's therapy sessions caused her husband's suicide.  The term "grief therapy" was used and it was implied in a meeting between the respective attorneys that participating in therapy directly caused the husband's death.  More specifically, it was stated that research suggests that 4 out of 10 individuals who seek grief therapy are harmed by the experience. 
  
Representing the leadership of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, I am compelled to express our significant concerns about the messages communicated to the public about grief therapy during this episode.  Other recent reports in the media have claimed that grief counseling may be more harmful than helpful. However, studies of bereaved populations typical of those seen in counseling practices do not support this claim.  In fact, the information presented during your program has no basis in research, as it is supported by only one unpublished investigation.  The enclosed article published in the journal Professional Psychology: Research and Practice addresses the misrepresentation of findings from this one study.  The article is titled:  "What Has Become of Grief Counseling?  An Evaluation of the Empirical Foundations of the New Pessimism."     

Furthermore, we strongly contend that the erroneous material included in this episode places the public at risk.  It is not uncommon for those who are grieving to receive a secondary injury when those around them do not understand and support their grief process.  When this happens grievers often turn to professional counselors who will listen and support them.

Bereaved individuals who could benefit from grief therapy will be now less likely to seek such services after viewing this program.  
  
 We believe it is critical for viewers to be properly informed of the lack of empirical support for the "harmful grief therapy" claims made during “The Chicken and the Leg” episode. To rectify this situation, we request that your news division do a story informing viewers that research does not support the idea that grief therapy is harmful.  ADEC can refer ABC’s reporter to experts in the field who can knowledgeably speak to this issue. You can find an official statement regarding the Boston Legal episode on the Home Page of our website.  
    
We look forward to your reply.  We reiterate our firm belief that this episode has threatened the public welfare.  Boston Legal is an engaging and entertaining program with a strong and growing audience base.  As the network that airs this program, you have a responsibility to act in the best interest of your viewers.  
  
Sincerely, 

 Helen S. Chapple, PhD, RN, MA, CCRN, CT
President, Association for Death Education and Counseling

Related Information: Read ADEC's statement on a recent study on the helpfulness of grief counseling.

Read a statement from the American Psychological Association about this study.