Eboni Dabney
Movie Note #3
October 25, 2023
My reaction to Antwone Fisher and Dr. Davenport’s relationship was initially one of
laughter and later I felt emotional. I was laughing at Antwone’s refusal to talk to the psychiatrist
because it reminded me of people who know they need help but are in denial. Antwone has
attitude problems and a difficult time opening up to Dr. Davenport. Antwone appears uptight,
whereas Dr. Davenport is cool as a cucumber. I became emotional when Dr. Davenport first told
Antwone the sessions were over. I was just as angry as Antwone, I felt like he was finally
starting to understand himself and was on the way to finding a solution. I was relieved and happy
when I learned he was still his patient.
I think what worked well in the therapy session was something done in the beginning
before the official sessions began. Dr. Davenport gave Antwone time to open up with no
pressure whilst maintaining his position as a psychiatrist and higher-ranking officer. Another
thing that worked well in the therapy sessions was when Dr. Davenport told Antwone he had a
right to be angry. He acknowledged his feelings and made him feel validated. It was also helpful
when the psychiatrist told Antwone how to channel that anger through exercise and to use it to
better himself.
There were a few ethical code violations I noticed. The first one I noticed was when Dr.
Davenport gave Antwone his phone number and told him he could call him any time of the day.
Another ethical code violation I noticed, was when Dr. Davenport invited Antwone over to
Thanksgiving dinner. The last ethical code violation I noticed was when Dr. Davenport tells
Antwone he loves him and calls him his son. It was probably out of pity and the realization that
he is all Antwone has left. However, it is an ethical code violation because there is no
establishment of clear patient/psychiatrist boundaries. It is a violation because Dr. Davenport is
engaging in multiple relationships with Antwone. Dr. Davenport is serving as a psychiatrist and a
father figure to Antwone. This is bad because this relationship could impair the psychiatrist’s
objectivity, competence, or effectiveness and could cause harm to the patient.