Facilitating client change: principles based upon the experience of eminent psychotherapists.
Eminent therapists across psychotherapy meta-orientations were asked to describe the processes by which they facilitate change in psychotherapy. A grounded theory analysis of these interviews was conducted. Safety within the psychotherapeutic relationship was identified as a central element in creating client change to the extent that in-session risk taking was important in that orientation. As well, common processes across orientation in structuring new awareness emerged as a core finding. Patterns were identified in how therapists balanced negotiating the client-therapist relationship while fostering new awareness. Principles based on therapists' common intentions are put forward to guide future research and psychotherapy integration efforts.
Levitt
Heidi M
HM
Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. hlevitt@memphis.edu
Williams
Daniel C
DC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001364:Awareness; D032882:Comprehension; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004644:Emotions; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D017008:Negotiating; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D035502:Trust