Freud believed that therapists must undergo analytic therapy so that their own delusions and personal problems not interfere with their ability to understand and and relate to their patients. Therefore the "pathology" of the therapist can place limits on the success of the therapy. However, most therapies assume that if the environment plays a role in creating the patient's problems and preventing change it would involve the patient's family and events occurring in childhood. However, social issues can seriously impede therapeutic change and these include the political climate in which individuals live, as well issues related to gender, race and economics. We will discuss these issues tonight as well.