Psychotherapists' Investments in the Therapeutic Process & Relationship
A day in the life when you are the tool.
The therapeutic relationship is a crucial factor in the success of counseling and psychotherapy. Throughout the psychotherapy process, the therapist and patient collaborate to establish and sustain the therapeutic alliance. The bond that develops during these interactions becomes the cornerstone of the psychotherapy treatment process.
Human beings are messy and complex. Professional counselors and psychotherapists are no different. Although we have professional training and can hold space for others, we are still human. We make personal and emotional investments in the therapeutic process and relationship daily. I am passionate about researching and delving deeper into this real and complex aspect of our profession.
My research, and experiences as a psychotherapist, in supervision, and as a supervisor for others have led to the following insights about our personal and emotional investments in the process, which I briefly explain below:
Navigating Personal & Emotional Investments in the Psychotherapy Process & Relationship:
1. Becoming a Mental Health Professional is ongoing:
Psychotherapists never "arrive", we can always and do always learn more as we develop and interact in the field, we must pay attention to learning, coming to know ourselves, and our dynamics, and strive for growth. Professional therapists ought to be open and willing to engage in this process— if they desire to be and become successful, maintain longevity within their careers, and produce meaningful outcomes with their patients.
2. Psychotherapists need their therapy and supervision (throughout their entire career):
Personal therapy is the best gift you can give yourself and your pts. Countertransference and transference are a part of every interaction in psychotherapy. If you don't manage and become aware of these transference dynamics, they will own your life and work. How can you do this work if you have never sat in the other chair?
3. Both therapist and patient can benefit from the therapeutic process and relationship if we aim for the third position:
Psychotherapy is about the delicate balance between closeness to and departure from clients. Aim for the third position ( an experience-near approach) in which we can have some objectivity while fostering collaborative and close relationships with our clients.
What does that look like? First, therapists must remain observant of the extraordinary holding of the client in their mind. Longer periods may provide ample warning that the clients’ wounds are activating the therapists’ vulnerabilities. When these warning signs arise, instead of bearing such struggles alone, counselors can seek support from a trusted colleague or supervisor (Bimont & Werbart, 2018). Supervisors can honor the tensions that arise with balanced attention to risks and potential benefits.
4. Boundaries are (increasingly) essential to effective and ethical practice:
The therapeutic process and relationship are intimate. The recent attention to social media and therapy culture emphasizes the importance of clear boundaries, including what is appropriate and not appropriate within and outside the consulting room. Boundaries must be considered with attention to ethics and professionalism. Supervisors, mentors, and senior clinicians remind themselves and neophyte counselors or trainees of both. I have learned that others do not regard what I regard as common sense. In the age of social media, there is a growing concern about the lack of boundaries and professionalism demonstrated by psychotherapists. For example: Please do not share something your client gave or said to you on Instagram or any other social media. Even if their name is not attached, doing so violates their confidentiality and privacy rights as humans and patients.