Counseling and psychotherapy: Qualities of the therapy relationship

Counseling and psychotherapy: Qualities of the therapy relationship

Psychotherapy and counseling largely depend on the quality of the relationship between therapist and client. The key quality is authenticity. The client should experience the therapist as genuine - both in wisdom and caring. The authenticity of the meeting in therapy sessions is crucial for a successful healing outcome.

The therapeutic encounter requires several other elements. Firstly, mutual respect. Both the client and the therapist are involved in a highly complex and sensitive undertaking that can only be achieved through self-respect, mutual consideration and mutual respect. Regardless of what arises in therapy, this should be the foundation of the relationship.

Secondly, openness. The ability to be open and share supports and enables the client's inner exploration and need for release and freedom from repressed and/or painful memories, grief, shame and guilt. In a society where experiencing and expressing core emotions can still be viewed as objectionable, the ability to give and receive emotional expression - from both the client and the therapist - are valuable and important elements of the healing process.

Third, empathy. A good therapist empathizes with his client. Rather than removing or distancing, the therapist relates to the client's experience and meets the client's deeply felt need to be received.

The next and critically necessary technique of therapy and counseling is the practice of awareness. Because the client can communicate on so many different levels simultaneously and intensely, the therapist must remain open and receptive. Allowing the client to lead, interrupting without interruption, and simply listening are key elements of awareness practice in the therapeutic process.

The therapist should be prepared to be lively and responsive and, above all, present, undisturbed and able to fully engage with the client's experiences. Intuition is a valuable tool for the therapist. As well as practicing being uncritical and accepting the client and not interpreting.

The therapeutic relationship is a deep alliance. The key element here is trust. The client must feel the therapist's integrity, belief in them, and concern and ability to get them through their difficulties to where they want or need to be or need to be.

Finally, shared intention. It is crucial that the therapist clarify the client's intention clearly and completely in the first session or close. Given that this intention will almost certainly change, it should be monitored and discussed, intuitive, modified, and made a keen object of awareness by both client and therapist.

Alternative practitioner psychotherapy

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