Why the Therapeutic Relationship is Central to Transformative Psychotherapy Essay by immortal

Why the Therapeutic Relationship is Central to Transformative Psychotherapy
This essay explores the relational components necessary between analyst/ therapist and patient/ client for successful, transformative psychotherapy.
# 154118 | 2,063 words | 12 sources | 2010 | AU
Published on Feb 08, 2015 in Psychology (Therapies)


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From the Paper:

"Many individuals will seek out counselling professionals at different stages in their lifetime to assist them in times of trouble and distress. Proponents of different therapies may argue their particular therapy 'works' better than others, due to its unique theory or techniques. Research has demonstrated however that while clients report a benefit from different therapeutic experiences, they do not experience more benefit from one particular therapy over another (Howe, 1993). The common beneficial element in these different therapies however is the presence of a unique relationship between therapist and client. To understand why and how this relationship is crucial to success in the therapeutic alliance, it is first imperative to understand the way relationships - and what kind of relationships - form our existence and development as human beings.
"Human beings are social creatures. For thousands, possibly even millions of years archeological and historical evidence has demonstrated that homo sapiens and their predecessors have formed into groups for survival (Holman, 2007) and, more recently in our history, for complex social and meaning-making purposes. We are socialised into relationships from our birth, be they with individuals from our family, community, culture or religion. It can therefore be suggested that an individual's sense of self and even development of consciousness arises in relationship with others (Howe, 1993). This development of 'self' begins at birth - some would even argue before birth (Hartmann and Zimberoff, 2004) - when an infant is reliant on her/his immediate environment and caregivers to begin providing crucial reflection, attachment and nurturance."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Hartmann, D. & Zimberoff, D. 2004. `Corrective Emotional Experiences in Therapeutic Process.' In Journal of Heart-Centred Therapies, Vol 7, No 2 pp. 3-84.
  • Holman, P. 2007. ``Hawks, Doves and Other Humans''. Unpublished, provided to students of Australian College of Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy 2008.
  • Howe, D. 1993. On Being a Client: Understanding the Process of Counselling and Psychotherapy. London: Sage Publications.
  • Kahn, M. 1997. Between Therapist and Client: The New Relationship. Revised Edition. New York: Henry Holt.
  • Levine, P.A. 1997. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. California: North Atlantic Books.

Cite this Essay:

APA Format

Why the Therapeutic Relationship is Central to Transformative Psychotherapy (2015, February 08) Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/essay/why-the-therapeutic-relationship-is-central-to-transformative-psychotherapy-154118/

MLA Format

"Why the Therapeutic Relationship is Central to Transformative Psychotherapy" 08 February 2015. Web. 29 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/essay/why-the-therapeutic-relationship-is-central-to-transformative-psychotherapy-154118/>

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