Born in 1899, Dr. Edmund Bergler was a respected psychoanalyst and worked at the Psychoanalytic Freud-Clinic in Austria. He wrote more than 20 books and published scores of articles. But today, his name is mostly forgotten-except among a small, loyal group of followers, including Dr. Melvyn Iscove, who used his methods for more than 40 years. Bergler was notable for many things, including coining the term "writer's block." He was also fascinated with certain sexual orientations, and believed that homosexuality could be "cured." The team discovers archival audio that provides a glimpse into Bergler's views and explores the enduring impact of Bergler's work and its influence on Dr. Iscove.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is Dr. Melvyn Iscove? It's a simple question with not a lot of simple answers. He was a classically trained pianist, an opera enthusiast, and a longtime supporter of Toronto's arts scene. Letters of support from his hearing describe him as "professional, kind, and considerate." But other former patients have a different story to tell-one of blurred boundaries, and a psychiatric relationship that, according to those patients, left lasting emotional scars.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than seven years ago, Toronto psychiatrist Dr. Melvyn Iscove lost his medical license for allegedly sexually abusing two of his male patients – allegations he continues to deny.

One patient alleges that Dr. Iscove tried to convince him he was gay, despite his repeated denials. The other sought therapy for depression and anxiety, which he believed were linked to fears about his sexuality. Dr. Iscove's treatment for both was influenced by the theories of Dr. Edmund Bergler--a largely forgotten psychoanalyst who claimed homosexuality could be cured.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychiatrists are held to a high standard for a reason: they see patients at their most vulnerable and are entrusted with their deepest secrets. So, what happens if a psychiatrist is accused of violating that trust?

The Oath examines the case of Dr. Melvyn Iscove, whose medical license was revoked in 2018 for allegedly sexually abusing two patients. When journalist Krysia Collyer first came across Dr. Iscove's case, it seemed straightforward -- until she and her co-producer, Brennan Leffler, began digging.

What happened to those two patients was only part of a long, unusual story involving Iscove's dedication to a largely forgotten 1950s psychoanalyst who believed homosexuality could be cured. The case raises serious questions about Ontario's medical regulator: Can it be trusted to protect patients, and how does it handle potential cases of so-called "conversion therapy"?

From TVO Podcasts, The Oath is a six-part investigative series about the power we give our doctors -- and what can happen if they cross a line. Follow The Oath on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.