Question

Critically discuss the significance of a therapist as a person in the therapeutic relationship

Answer 1

Psychoanalysts suggested that the human mind functions at three levels of awareness. The conscious, subconscious and the unconscious mind. Every individual goes through stressful situations in life. However, it is suggested that every individual exercises different defense mechanisms which suit them the best to cope up with those stressful events. One of the defense mechanisms executed by most people is repression. Repression includes repressing or pushing down the feelings and thoughts that you make feel miserable. The repressed thoughts, feelings and memories are said to be embedded in the unconscious. Those thoughts or traumatic experiences are not forgotten whereas they are repressed in unconscious.

The material repressed in the unconscious is the major cause behind individuals developing anxiety disorders. The reason to their anxiety is unknown to them. The material from the unconscious mind cannot be recollected or remembered. It does not surface to the conscious mind on its own. The most effective form of therapy includes treatment which involves personal interaction with the therapist to help a person change his or her behaviour. Free association is a form of therapy which includes the client relaxing back in his chair while the therapist exposes him to random words. The client has to bring forth the first thing that comes to their mind when the therapist begins floating around words. For instance, the therapist says 'parents', the client immediately replies 'neglect'. The whole idea is to understand the repressed thoughts and feelings in the unconscious mind by trying to bring it to surface or the conscious. However, all of this is possible only with the help of a therapist. In a therapeutic relationship, it is important for the therapist to make the client comfortable for him to be able to open up about his life and experiences.