Question

conclusion to be a psychologist therapist as a person in the therapeutic relationship. answer should be supported by empirical evidences

Answer 1

The therapeutic relationship typically involves factors of confession, atonement and absolution, encouragement, positive and negative reinforcement, aversive procedures, behavioral modeling, promotion of values, and cheer leading (Frank, 1985). The therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is the cornerstone of any psychotherapeutic modality. Whether one practices classical psychoanalysis or radical behaviorism, the practice of psychotherapy involves a relationship, an interaction, and an emotional exchange between two or more individuals. Regardless of whether or not the goal is in sight or is directed behavioral change, one cannot ignore the essential ingredient of the bidirectional influence of one party to the other within the therapeutic collaboration. With each client, the therapist must start from the beginning and build a relationship from the ground up. It is necessary to identify the needs of the client, discern the pathways to best relate to the client, and then use those pathways to establish and maintain the
therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship has been addressed in the professional literature in a number of different manners (Alexander & Luborsky, 1986; Horvath & Greenberg, 1986; Safran & Wallner, 1991; Suh, Strupp, & O'Malley, 1986; Sullivan, 1954; Wright & Davis, 1994).

Early psychoanalytic work identified three relational components of the therapy process that had to be addressed in the therapy. The meaning, value, and importance of these factors has been the subject of debate for more than 100 years. These issues were termed transference, countertransference, and resistance. Broadly, they capsule the client's expectations, beliefs, reactions, and responses to the therapist and to the therapeutic environment (transference), the
therapist's reactions and responses to the client's transference or, alternatively, the therapist's reaction to the client generally (countertransference), and the client's difficulty intherapy or avoidance of issues and areas of concern (resistance). These factors may be overtly expressed or more covertly expressed either subtly or symbolically depending on the particular client and the situation (essentially depending on the therapeutic relationship).

Within the context of Existential Therapy the therapeutic relationship is one characterized by mutual respect, individual uniqueness, authenticity, and pursuit of meaning. According to Bugental and Sterling (1995), it is necessary to develop what they term a `meaningful realistic therapeutic contract. This suggests an agreement or arrangement (contract) between the parties and that the individuals involved both contribute and hope to gain from the arrangement. The therapeutic contract facilitates understanding between the client and therapist, rendering it meaningful and realistic. Besides developing a meaningful, realistic therapeutic contract, they propose the importance of `Fostering the growth of a resilient alliance, working through the situational resistances, working through some of the character resistances, exploring client-therapist collusion (transference-countertransference issues), working with residual transferential elements and preparing for termination .

Research on person-centered therapy indicates that the attitudes of therapists, rather than their knowledge, theories, or techniques, facilitate personality change in a client. Basically, the therapist uses himself/herself within the relationship as an instrument of change. The main function then is to establish a therapeutic climate that helps the client grow in an individual way. The therapist's role becomes essential in the person-centered modality in that it creates a
helping relationship in which clients experience the necessary freedom to explore areas of their
life that are now either denied awareness or distorted.

Clinical and research evidence suggests that a therapeutic relationship, even in the context of a
behavioral orientation, can contribute significantly to the process of behavior change (Granvold & Wodarski, 1994). A good therapeutic relationship increases the chances that the client will be receptive to therapy. Not only is it important for the client to cooperate with the therapeutic procedures, but the client's positive expectations about the effectiveness of therapy may often contribute to successful outcomes as well. Cognitive-behavior therapy too places an important
emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as an integral part of the effectiveness in the treatment
process. Vicissitudes in the therapeutic relationship can provide individuals with an opportunity to work directly with clients' most significant maladaptive schemas which are an essential part of the therapeutic relationship.