The article linked below, written by Richard A. Singer Jr., M.A., CAC, discusses several different studies that address the significance of the therapeutic relationship. The findings continue to support that the relationship continues to be the foundation of successful therapy.
"The therapeutic relationship forms the foundation for treatment as well as large part of successful outcome. Without the helping relationship being the number one priority in the treatment process, clinicians are doing a great disservice to clients as well as to the field of therapy as a whole." - Singer
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Singer7.html
Friday, March 18, 2016
Article/Link #4
Below is the link to an article on Psychology Today written by Laurie Meyers. In this article, Meyers discusses some relevant findings by Psychotherapist Carl Rogers and the fact that many studies since then support Rogers same findings, "a strong therapeutic alliance was more closely correlated with positive client outcomes than any specific treatment interventions."
Meyers also quotes therapist Jeffrey Kottler who says, "[Obviously] in many cases, clients need a lot more than feeling understood or enjoying the benefits of being in a respectful, facilitative alliance,” he adds. “Yet without the foundation of a constructive relationship, anything else that we do isn’t going to work very well or last very long.”
http://ct.counseling.org/2014/08/connecting-with-clients/
Meyers also quotes therapist Jeffrey Kottler who says, "[Obviously] in many cases, clients need a lot more than feeling understood or enjoying the benefits of being in a respectful, facilitative alliance,” he adds. “Yet without the foundation of a constructive relationship, anything else that we do isn’t going to work very well or last very long.”
http://ct.counseling.org/2014/08/connecting-with-clients/
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Article/Link #3
For another view on the client-therapist relationship, here is a link that discusses the process and results of a study done based on the similarities between the client-therapist and how that affects the therapeutic process and relationship.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330484/
This article, written by Steven M. Herman, PhD., details the process of matching similarities between the client and therapist in order to provide the best outcome in therapy. Dr. Herman states that the results "suggest that therapist–client similarity would be most advantageous for treatment outcome and client satisfaction."
It's an interesting thought. In the client-therapist relationship there has to be a comfort level for the client to be able to open up and respond to the treatment. With that, having some similarities or commonalities would be a big factor in providing that level of comfort.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330484/
This article, written by Steven M. Herman, PhD., details the process of matching similarities between the client and therapist in order to provide the best outcome in therapy. Dr. Herman states that the results "suggest that therapist–client similarity would be most advantageous for treatment outcome and client satisfaction."
It's an interesting thought. In the client-therapist relationship there has to be a comfort level for the client to be able to open up and respond to the treatment. With that, having some similarities or commonalities would be a big factor in providing that level of comfort.
Article/Link #2
In the link below, Ellen McGrath from Psychology Today, writes about the significance of the relationship between therapist and client.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/between-client-and-therapist
"A solid patient-therapist relationship is a crucible of wellness. And the path out of depression begins with a compatible therapist." - Ellen McGrath
In this article, McGrath focuses mainly on a client with depression as to their reason for being in therapy. A couple key points mentioned by McGrath are:
"One of the most helpful elements in recovery is the quality of the relationship with the therapy professional and how consistent and trustworthy the connection remains between client and therapist."
"The patient-therapist relationship is generally representative of the nature of all other relationships you have, and so learning to resolve problems while maintaining connection provides skills that are widely applicable. To experience conflict with a therapist and learn to resolve it is often the path out of depression."
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/between-client-and-therapist
"A solid patient-therapist relationship is a crucible of wellness. And the path out of depression begins with a compatible therapist." - Ellen McGrath
In this article, McGrath focuses mainly on a client with depression as to their reason for being in therapy. A couple key points mentioned by McGrath are:
"One of the most helpful elements in recovery is the quality of the relationship with the therapy professional and how consistent and trustworthy the connection remains between client and therapist."
"The patient-therapist relationship is generally representative of the nature of all other relationships you have, and so learning to resolve problems while maintaining connection provides skills that are widely applicable. To experience conflict with a therapist and learn to resolve it is often the path out of depression."
Article/Link #1
This video details information about therapy but in this video, Dr. John C. Norcross, PhD., also discusses the significance of the therapist/client relationship.
Dr. Norcross mentions a very controlled, well funded study with results that overwhelmingly report the biggest help factor in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. This by far surpassed other factors such as medication, types of treatment, and so on.
https://psychalivemedia.pivotshare.com/media/achieving-lasting-change-an-interview-with-dr.-john-norcross/21574
From the website, "John C. Norcross, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert on behavioral change, as well as a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton and an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Norcross specializes in psychotherapy, clinical training and behavioral change. Dr. Norcross has authored over 300 publications and edited or co-written 22 professional books, including his acclaimed self-help book Changeology."
Dr. Norcross mentions a very controlled, well funded study with results that overwhelmingly report the biggest help factor in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. This by far surpassed other factors such as medication, types of treatment, and so on.
https://psychalivemedia.pivotshare.com/media/achieving-lasting-change-an-interview-with-dr.-john-norcross/21574
From the website, "John C. Norcross, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert on behavioral change, as well as a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton and an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Norcross specializes in psychotherapy, clinical training and behavioral change. Dr. Norcross has authored over 300 publications and edited or co-written 22 professional books, including his acclaimed self-help book Changeology."
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Topic
My blog topic for this project is communication in a therapy/client setting.
The therapist/client relationship is unlike most relationships. There are boundaries that prevent the relationship from being a friendship, however, there is an openness, vulnerability, and closeness that makes the relationship, at times, feel closer than any other relationship. A client most often will share intimate parts of their lives with their therapist. Their therapist may be the only one they share these things with. The therapist has to remain objective, therefore, even if he or she would like to have a deeper relationship such as a friendship, or sees that he/she has a great deal in common with the client, he/she must still stick to ethical boundaries in order to remain objective. This henders the therapist from being able to share much personal information about themselves. At the same time, the reservedness of the therapist can cause a client to fear opening up. It's a very unique relationship and often times the therapeutic relationship itself can stir up issues that have to be addressed between therapist and client.
The therapist/client relationship is unlike most relationships. There are boundaries that prevent the relationship from being a friendship, however, there is an openness, vulnerability, and closeness that makes the relationship, at times, feel closer than any other relationship. A client most often will share intimate parts of their lives with their therapist. Their therapist may be the only one they share these things with. The therapist has to remain objective, therefore, even if he or she would like to have a deeper relationship such as a friendship, or sees that he/she has a great deal in common with the client, he/she must still stick to ethical boundaries in order to remain objective. This henders the therapist from being able to share much personal information about themselves. At the same time, the reservedness of the therapist can cause a client to fear opening up. It's a very unique relationship and often times the therapeutic relationship itself can stir up issues that have to be addressed between therapist and client.
Introduction
I'm Jen. I'm a full-time student doing this blog for a computer class. I am 38, a wife and mother to three kids. I have a photography business, teach Bible studies, and am a writer and blogger. I also enjoy drawing and other artsy kinds of things. I am in my last semester in our community college and hope to transfer in the fall and major in English with a minor in Secondary Education. Eventually, I think I may go on for a Master's in Counseling or pursue a writing career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)